Neptune get comfortable

BASKETBALL: Neptune have moved into a cosy position at the top of the ESB Superleague after the 79-66 victory over Tralee Tigers…

BASKETBALL: Neptune have moved into a cosy position at the top of the ESB Superleague after the 79-66 victory over Tralee Tigers on Wednesday evening.

Next up comes Notre Dame, who have a 2-2 record so far this season having themselves lost out to Tralee last weekend.

Losses for both UCD Marian and Star of the Sea last weekend have left no team unbeaten in the league to date, with Killester putting an end to Star's run.

This week, Star signed former Tyrone player Charles Mason for their clash with defending champions Waterford.

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Kevin Craig will be absent again this weekend, but Scott Summersgill, who was a huge loss to the Northerners against Killester, will be back on court.

Waterford Crystal, who also fell to Neptune last weekend, have lost Patrick Fitzpatrick, who returned to the US unexpectedly last weekend leaving coach Michael Evans short for the season.

Title retention is already looking tough for Waterford, who are likely to struggle against Star this weekend.

Tralee Tigers have had a hard opening this season, and that is sure to continue tonight against the UCC Demons.

John Teahan is struggling with a back injury, playing limited time against Neptune and unable to make the scoresheet.

Tralee are still without Micheal Quirke who is involved with Kerins O'Rahillys' in the Kerry county final on Sunday.

Tolka Rovers, who put an end to UCD Marian's run of success, have a full squad for another Dublin derby game this weekend.

Jim Quill is struggling with an achilles tendon strain, but will play. A victory for St Vincent's this weekend will see them sitting comfortably on the league table.

In the women's Superleague, St Paul's broke University of Limerick's early run in a 77-75 victory, with Diane Griffin hitting the winning basket.

St Paul's were without Catriona O'Connell last weekend, an ankle injury keeping her out of play. O'Connell is expected to be fit for the Killester clash at the weekend.

FIXTURES

MEN'S SUPERLEAGUE

Tonight: UCC Demons v Tralee Tigers, 8.10.

Tomorrow: Tolka Rovers v St Vincent's, 7.45; Waterford Crystal v Star of the Sea, 7.30; Notre Dame v Neptune, 8.0.

Sunday: Limerick v UCD Marian, 3.30.

WOMEN'S SUPERLEAGUE

Tomorrow: Tolka Rovers v Glanmire, 5.50; Meteors v Tipperary Talons, 6.45; University of Limerick v Drimnagh, 7.0; St Paul's v Killester, 7.30.

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics