IT HAS been a difficult week for both Tralee and St Vincent's, both traumatised by losing one of their Americans just days ahead of their scheduled meeting in the Budweiser Superleague on Sunday in Glasnevin.
While Tralee's Corey Taylor is temporarily out of action due to damaged ankle ligaments which forced him to leave the court in the game against Star of the Sea last weekend, St Vincent's have lost Carter Long for good after he decided to leave the club and the country during the week.
St Vincent's - they have had the highest turnover of foreign players in the league this season - must now consider taking on one of the free agents already in the country, like Matt Thompson, Brett Nicholls or John Ryan, or else search abroad. To add to their problems, their second American, Kevin Mullin, who has only played two games, has a dental problem.
Tralee also have a dilemma because, under the rules of the IBA, they cannot replace Taylor temporarily and then sign him up again when he's fit to play. The National Competitions Committee does have the discretion to over rule that regulation but that would be leaving it to chance.
Another blow for the Kerry club was been the loss of one of their fine young players, Alan Keane, who broke his ankle in the heavy defeat by Star of the Sea last week.
There are no such problems for league leaders Neptune, who have a clean bill of health and look certain to maintain their 100 per cent record when they visit bottom of the table Annadale Oueen's tomorrow night.
Second placed Star of the Sea have had two easy wins over the past fortnight, albeit against depleted opposition, but the quality of their challenge to Neptune will be well tested by Killester, the best prepared team, mentally, in the league.
The Dublin northside club have engaged the services of sports psychologist Tom Moriarty, for the rest of the season after his successful "debut" in priming the team for their narrow Dublin derby victory over Delta last week.
On new acquisitions, Marian's new American, Jason Siemon made one of the all time great debuts last week with his 39 point contribution in the shock victory over St Vincent's. Marian, who hope to have Patrick Glover back for their televised cup quarter final against Delta next Friday, have a difficult enough task away to mid table Killarney tomorrow.
In the Gateaux women's division one, a relatively uneventful campaign should perk up considerably with the meeting in Waterford tomorrow of the only two unbeaten teams, Wildcats and Naomh Mhuire.
The home club will have Jillian Hayes in their side in spite of her breaking a finger in a pick up game three weeks ago. Hayes will have her fingers strapped together and she is expected to play a significant part in the game.
