Star resume title chase

BASKETBALL/Weekend Previews: After the distraction of the Cup finals last weekend the focus is firmly back on the ESB Superleague, which enters its decisive phase between now and mid-March. Star of the Sea, who were stunned by UCC Demons in last Sunday's final, are on court twice with the renewed target of maintaining their grip at the top of the table.

Star play St Vincent's tonight, and Waterford tomorrow, but at least they'll have a full squad. Several clubs were forced to let players go in the last few days, including the Demons - who have lost James Singleton, consistently one of their top scorers.

Singleton returned to the US for family reasons, and although coach Pat Price is confident of finding a replacement quickly, the loss won't help Demons' hopes for a late surge towards the Superleague title. The Demons are away to Tralee tomorrow, who themselves have lost Antoine Gillespie, who has returned to France.

Notre Dame have also been hit by the exodus, and after the disappointing Cup weekend they'll now be without LaVerne Evans and Brandon Hughes for the rest of the season. Evans has moved to Portugal, while Hughes suffered a broken hand last weekend and will be ruled out of action for several months.

Though joint leaders with Star, Notre Dame have played an extra game and a victory over Neptune tomorrow is crucial to their title hopes. Neptune have been rested for three weeks, and with a fully fit squad, plus the home venue, they could prove to be the stumbling block for Notre Dame.

The women's Superleague, meanwhile, can be decided over the next two weekends. A victory over Drimnagh tomorrow, and then a second victory over the Waterford Wildcats a week later, would secure the University of Limerick the title for 2003 - and also add to the Cup success of last weekend.

Deirdre Leahy is still carrying and injury from last weekend, but otherwise Limerick are at full strength and appear unstoppable now in their quest for the double.

FIXTURES: Men's ESB Superleague - Tonight: Star of the Sea v St Vincent's (Jordanstown, 8.15); Tomorrow: UCD Marian v Limerick (UCD, 7.10); Star of the Sea v Waterford (Jordanstown, 7.15); Killester v Killarney (IWA, 8.0); Neptune v Notre Dame (Neptune, 8.0); Tralee Tigers v UCC Demons (Tralee, 8.0); Sunday - UCD v Killester (UCD, 3.30); St Vincent's v Tolka Rovers (St Vincent's, 3.30).

Women's Superleague - Tomorrow: Killester v St Paul's (IWA, 6.0); Drimnagh v University of Limerick (Oblate Hall, 7.0); Tipperary Talons v Meteors (Thurles, 8.30); Glanmire v Tolka Rovers (Neptune, 5.45).