Cup specialists out for glory

BASKETBALL/Weekend Preview: Five Dublin clubs are among the ESB National Cup quarter-finalists this weekend, but none of them can be certain of a place in the finals weekend at the end of next January.

League form typically goes out the window when it comes to the cup. As things stand several of the clubs remaining are struggling in the league, but are cup specialists.

Notre Dame, for example, are currently fourth from the bottom with just three victories to date, but they won't fear a trip across to city to meet St Vincent's.

The last time the sides met in the cup was the final of 2000, when Notre Dame secured the title, and they remain one of the most feared clubs in the cup competition.

Another all-Dublin game is the meeting of UCD Marian and Killester. The last time UCD Marian made the finals weekend was 1986, and with Killester still struggling with numbers, they will fancy their chances of making a long-awaited return.

Tolka Rovers take to the road for their meeting with UCC Demons, a game where the Cork side will start as favourites.

Tolka Rovers have suffered four league defeats in succession, and are still having problems trying to secure the services of their American player Gabe Jackson because of work permit issues. The remaining quarter-final sees struggling Waterford host Star of the Sea.

In the women's quarter-finals, Mercy Coolock, the only non-Superleague team remaining, take on Drimnagh. The University of Limerick, beaten in the final last year by Killester, look well capable of getting past Glanmire.

ESB NATIONAL CUP

Quarter-final schedule - Men: Tonight - Killester v UCD Marian (IWA, 8.15); Tomorrow - Waterford Crystal v Star of the Sea (WIT, 7.30); Sunday - Mardyke UCC Demons v Tolka Rovers (Mardyke, 3.15), ITP Saints v Notre Dame (St Vincent's, 3.30) Women: Tomorrow - Mercy Coolock v Drimnagh (Mercy, 4.15), Tolka Rovers v Tipperary Talons (Tolka Rovers, 5.30), University of Limerick v Glanmire (UL, 8.0); Sunday - Wildcats v St Paul's (Mercy, 3.0).