Sport

Trimmer expected back as Saints seek to maintain their forward momentum

BASKETBALL: DCU SAINTS’ surge towards the play-off’s can gather real momentum this weekend when they take on nearest rivals …

SHANE WHELAN
Fri Nov 26 2010 - 00:00

BASKETBALL:DCU SAINTS' surge towards the play-off's can gather real momentum this weekend when they take on nearest rivals UCD Marian and Belfast Star respectively in the latest round of Nivea For Men's SuperLeague fixtures.

The Saints are on the back of four consecutive wins and can move into second place in the Northern Conference with six points from their two games this weekend. Mike Trimmer missed DCU’s win at home to Ulster Elks last weekend but is expected to feature for the club’s double header.

“We’re on a good run at the moment but this is a massive weekend for us as we’re playing our two closest rivals in the conference,” said Emmet Donnelly, now in his eight season with the Saints.

UCD lie in wait for the Saints on Saturday and head coach Fran Ryan is demanding more from his side after their loss to Bord Gáis Neptune last weekend.

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“It was an unacceptable performance at the weekend and our level of performance on the road as opposed to Belfield is of concern,” said Ryan.

Michael McGinn is set to feature for Bord Gáis Neptune away to Moycullen this weekend despite suffering a head injury last weekend, while the home side’s cause hasn’t been helped by the absence of Cian Nihill (ankle injury).

11890 Killester continue to be without Paddy Kelly (broken collar bone) for their tough test away to UCC Demons but are hopeful he will be ready for the clash at home to Moycullen in mid December.

UCC Demons haven’t played since their derby success over Neptune and begin life without Niall O’Reilly, who has emigrated to Australia.

A full-strength UL Eagles have a chance to bounce back from their loss to 11890 Killester when they make the trip to Belfast to face Ulster Elks.

Meanwhile, in the IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague, UL host Waterford Wildcats on Saturday, while DCU Mercy and Meteors entertain 11890 Killester and Team Montenotte Hotel Cork respectively. UL suffered a slender defeat to rivals Team Montenotte Hotel Cork last weekend but introduce New Zealand Olympian Natalie Taylor for Saturday’s encounter with Waterford Wildcats.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

Saturday: Men – SuperLeague: Moycullen v Bord Gáis Neptune, Kingfisher Club NUIG, 6pm; UCD Marian v DCU Saints, UCD Sports Centre, 7pm. Division One: Titans v Team Garvey St Mary’s, Renmore CC, 7pm; Team Meadowlands St Brendan’s v Maree, Mercy Mounthawk Sec School, 7.45; Tolka v Portlaoise, Tolka Rover Sports Complex, 8pm; Loftus Recycling Ballina v Bord Gáis Neptune, Ballina Sports Leisure Centre, 7.30. Women – SuperLeague: UL v Waterford Wildcats, UL Arena, 7pm. Division One: Thurles Knights v Liffey Celtics, Presentation Thurles, 3pm. Under-18 National Cup quarter-final: Glanmire v Maree, Little Island Community Centre, 3.30.

Sunday: Men – SuperLeague: Ulster Elks v UL Eagles, University of Ulster HPC, 2.30; UCC Demons v 11890 Killester, Mardyke Arena, 3.15; DCU Saints v Belfast Star, DCU Sports Complex, 4pm. Division One – Waterford v CHM Ballon, WIT Sports Hall, 3.30. Women – SuperLeague: DCU Mercy v 11890 Killester, DCU Sports Complex, 2pm; Meteors v Team Montenotte Hotel Cork, Coláiste Eoin/Íosagáin, 3pm. Division One – Meteors v Foireann na Gaillimhe, Coláiste Íosagáin, 1pm; Brunell v Team Tom McCarthy’s St Mary’s, Parochial Hall, 2.45.