Less than a week after their hopes of completing a unique double- treble were blown away by Tolka's terrific cup final comeback, Wildcats can secure substantial compensation by making sure of their fifth women's league title win in a row if they beat Meteors in Waterford tomorrow.
The cup final collapse of the Waterford women last Sunday has exposed a vulnerability rarely seen in recent years. Their record of 33 consecutive wins stretching right through the latter half of 1997 and all of 1998 was of little consolation to the team which has pioneered new standards of excellence through almost every element of the Irish women's game. That vulnerability was tangible on Sunday as Tolka in their usual tigerish and fearless manner refused to buckle under in spite of trailing heavily by nine points at half-time. As the Dubliners revived to break through brilliantly in the second half for their first ever success in league or cup, the statistics of the final showed the extent of Wildcats failure on the day.
In going down by just a single point, 59-58, their shooting average of just 34 per cent was appalling by their usual standards. Tolka's average of around 44 per cent was far from exceptional but acceptable by comparison.
From the field, the Wildcats shooting was particularly extravagant, with 71 shots attempted and only 23 hitting the target. Even from the free throw line they failed to land half of their attempts. While the statistics are the end result of inadequacies elsewhere on court, they only tell part of the story. Tolka's well co-ordinated, aggressive defence must take credit for unhinging Waterford's usually imposing and clinical offence.
Tolka's victory restores hope to the other Super League sides that the domination of Wildcats over the past few years can be interrupted, if not quite broken. Meteors will feel that they have a real chance of victory tomorrow night, although the greater likelihood is that the Dublin club will feel a harsh backlash in Waterford.
In men's basketball Notre Dame's third cup success in a row has marked them down as serious contenders for the end of season top eight championship. Although currently mid-table they should take a step towards securing their position in that competition by defeating bottom of the table Tolka Rovers on Sunday.
Star of the Sea who suffered a similar collapse to that of Wildcats in their men's cup semi-final against Blue Demons last weekend, face a difficult away match in the league tomorrow against Neptune who surprisingly dropped out of the title race in January by suffering four consecutive defeats. However, the Cork club will be rejuvenated by a fortnight's rest and the prospect of facing up to one of their keenest rivals of the past few seasons should induce a premium performance from them. When the sides last met in Belfast Star only won it from the free throw line in the final minute.
While the leaders Star have a tough task ahead of them, so too have their nearest pursuers Waterford who must travel to Dublin to play fourth placed Killester tomorrow. Blue Demons, after their narrow cup final defeat two Notre Dame last Sunday have to win in Sligo tomorrow to be sure of holding onto third place and remaining on the fringes of contention in the title race.
