Star chance to join Neptune

After a somewhat uncertain start, defending champions Star of the Sea are now in an position to join current leaders Neptune at the top of the ESB Superleague if they can win both outings of their double-header weekend.

First up is Killester in this evening's live TV game at the Maysfield Centre in Belfast (TG4, 9.0), but the more tricky part is likely to come in the second game, less than 24 hours later, when they face the league leaders themselves.

Killester should not greatly worry Star. Their win over Waterford Crystal last weekend was the first in six games. However, they will have American signing Damon Shoultz, who had been on a trial period with Orlando Magic in the NBA, back in the line-up.

That is unlikely to be enough to overcome Star, who will have a complete bench for this game and are now aiming for their eighth win in succession. Coach Darren O'Neill has found an excellent balance of players at the moment, although Brian McCreanor is set to feature here instead of Gary O'Neill.

Neptune, though, won't easily surrender their sole possession of the lead and last Sunday's win over UCD Marian kept their advantage secure. Interestingly, the sides met in similar standings at the same point last season, where Star pulled off a last-minute win and set their title run in motion. It also marked Neptune's slump down the table.

Elsewhere, it's also a two-game weekend for Dungannon as they host St Vincent's tomorrow before travelling to Tolka Rovers on Sunday. A much-needed boost for the northern side is that Trevor Smullen - who has averaged 22 points a game - has just been named player of the month for November.

Tomorrow, UCD Marian will unveil their new American signing, Drew Cooper, for Killester's second game of the weekend. Marian have already lost four games by just one point this season and have dropped to second from the bottom. And joint second-placed Denny Notre Dame meet Esat Telecom Demons on Sunday in a game that should shake things up further among the teams at the top of the table.

In the women's Superleague, four-point leaders Tolka Rovers make the trip to the University of Limerick tomorrow with the news that Sharon Kelly has also been voted women's player of the month.

Kelly proved vital in Tolka's win over Avonmore Snowcream Wildcats three weeks back and was also Superleague player of the year last season. She plans to take up a scholarship at an American university in January and will be a big loss to the Dublin team.

The Wildcats will again be eager to take the two points from their home meeting with Killester tomorrow to ensure they keep within reach of the current leaders.