DCU Saints look to get off foot of table with win over UL Eagles

Eanna coach Ciarán MacEvilly optimistic ahead of Swords Thunder encounter

Basketball at Sunset. Photograph: Allsport Concepts / Getty Images SPORT
Basketball at Sunset. Photograph: Allsport Concepts / Getty Images SPORT

The men’s Premier League returns to the National Basketball Arena this Sunday with the second in a series of double-headers.

DCU Saints take on UL Eagles knowing a win could move them off the bottom of the table.

Joey Boylan’s side picked up their first win of the campaign in the last round while Eagles are on a run of three defeats.

That’s followed by Eanna versus GCD Swords Thunder in their fourth meeting of the season.

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Optimism

Eanna have yet to win in the match up but Ciarán MacEvilly saw reasons for optimism in their recent cup tie.

“We’re confident we can give them a game on Sunday,” said the player-coach. “There were signs of improvement there and we reckon we can put in a performance.”

Belfast Star are targeting a first home win of the season against UCD Marian while a win over SSE Airtricity Moycullen would see Pyrobel Killester go joint-top of the table.

In the Women’s Premier League, DCU could open up a five-point gap at the top of the table if they can win at home to Portlaoise Panthers. Meteors are targeting a return to form at home to eighth place Singleton Supervalu Brunell.

The Dublin side lost only once in the first quarter of the season but have won only once since.

Maxol WIT Wildcats host Team Montenotte Hotel knowing just a single basket separated them in their last meeting while Courtyard Liffey Celtics host UL Huskies in Leixlip.

The semi-final line up for the Senior Women’s Cup will also be completed this weekend. NUIG Mystics host Meteors while Ulster Rockets welcome Team Garveys Tralee to Belfast in the competition for teams below the Women’s Premier League.