Killester aim to close gap

Basketball Previews: With Sasa Punsevac's three-game ban not up for appeal until next Tuesday, the Killester coach is allowed to be courtside this weekend as his team attempt to reel in the pacesetters in the Northern Conference, St Vincent's and Ballina.

Two games, starting tonight, against Superleague also-rans Shamrock Rovers and UCD Marian, should prove the ideal springboard for the north Dublin club to improve on a 50 per cent win ratio. Six from 10 would look a lot better than their current record of four wins and four defeats.

Leaders St Vincent's and Ballina only have one game each over the weekend, against UCD Marian and Star of the Sea respectively, making this the moment Killester must move to close down a four-point gap.

Round nine also sees the renewal of the Cork derby with Neptune travelling to the Mardyke Arena tonight to play the near invincible UCC Demons.

Due to the Neptune's turbulent campaign, this fixture has lost some of its sparkle but maybe new foreigner Jason Prior can make a difference at guard. After removing Tralee from the cup last week, it's hard to see past the Demons' winning streak continuing.

By Sunday evening UCC should have a decent gap over the idle Limerick who lie second in the Southern Conference as they also play Rovers at the National Arena.

After next Wednesday's Killarney Lakers against Neptune tie, the Superleague goes quiet until New Year's Eve when Limerick and UCD host afternoon games. After that, the focus switches to play-off spots and silverware.

In the Women's Superleague, UL Aughinish and new signing Courtney McDaniel will be keen to go into the break in touch with the top three. They face Killester at home, Meteors go to Waterford while the Dynamos face Coolock on Sunday.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

MEN'S SUPERLEAGUE: Today: UCC Demons v Neptune, Mardyke Arena, 8.15; Shamrock Rovers Hoops v Killester, National Arena, 8.0. Tomorrow: Star of the Sea v Ballina, UUJ, 7.15; St Vincent's v UCD Marian, St Vincent's CBS, 7.30. Sunday: UCD Marian v Killester, Belfield, 3.15; Shamrock Rovers Hoops v UCC Demons, National Arena, 3.0.

WOMEN'S SUPERLEAGUE: Tomorrow: UL Aughinish v Killester, UL Arena, 5.0; Wildcats v Meteors, Mercy Gym, 7.30; Sunday: Dynamos v Coolock, Oblate Hall, 3.15.