BASKETBALL:UL EAGLES will be desperate to get back on track at home to Ulster Elks in the Nivea For Men's Superleague after two consecutive defeats ruled out their hopes of a comfortable conclusion to their regular season.
A win over UCC Demons would have wrapped up the regular season trophy but defeats to Paul Kelleher’s side and Killester four days later has left their hopes of home advantage in the semi finals of the play-offs hanging in the balance.
Eagles’ cause wasn’t helped by the absence of US star Cameron Mitchell through injury but the 6ft 7in forward is likely to return for the visit of Northern Conference basement boys Ulster Elks.
“We have three games left in the regular season and each game is a big game, in fact each one is like a cup game,” said Eagles coach Mark Bernsen.
“We know that winning the Southern Conference is within our own hands but of course we must win games to achieve this aim. It’s down to the business end of the season and we just need to get on with it.”
UCC Demons and Bord Gais Neptune will be looking to keep the pressure on the Limerick side with games against Killester and Moycullen respectively.
“Moycullen are a different team with Cian Nihill back in the line-up,” said Neptune coach Pat Price.
“Enda Byrt has made that group a competitive side despite their record and we will not be taking them for granted whatsoever.”
National Cup champions UCD Marian’s hopes of reaching the play-offs look doubtful after a disastrous two defeats in the space of two days last weekend.
The students are not in action this weekend but Belfast Star can capitalise and move into the final play-off place if they can emerge from their two tough assignments against DCU Saints and Killester with maximum points.
In the IrishSport.TV Women’s Superleague, leaders UL host Killester, while Meteors and DCU Mercy entertain Waterford Wildcats and Dynamos respectively.
UL are on the back of an incredible run of results, claiming eight consecutive league wins to leave them just one win away from claiming the regular season title.
“We haven’t won anything in a while so to win the regular season would be nice,” said UL coach James Weldon.
“It’s more important in terms of getting home advantage in the play-offs and hopefully we can achieve that.”
SATURDAY: Men’s Superleague – Bord Gáis Neptune v Moycullen (Galway), Neptune Stadium, 7.00; Belfast Star v DCU Saints, De La Salle College, Anderstown, 7.15; UL Eagles v Ulster Elks, UL PESS Building, 7.30; 11890 Killester v UCC Demons, IWA Clontarf, 8.00. IrishSport.TV. Women’s SuperLeague – UL v 11890 Killester, UL PESS Building, 17:00.
SUNDAY: Men’s Superleague – 11890 Killester (Dublin) v Belfast Star, IWA Clontarf, 7.00. Women’s Superleague – Meteors (Dublin) v Waterford Wildcats, Coláiste Eoin/Iosagáin, 3.00; DCU Mercy v Black Forge Oblate Dynamos (Dublin), DCU Sports Complex, 15:30
