Three Galway sides are in national basketball league action this weekend, with the men from NUIG Maree making the trip to Belfast for a Superleague game on Saturday evening and Moycullen playing host to DBS Eanna from Dublin in NUIG on Sunday. Meanwhile the NUIG Mystics are in Ladies Division 1 action on Saturday afternoon in Claregalway against Ulster University.
DBS Éanna have been severely hampered by injuries ahead of their trip to Moycullen on Sunday. On Tuesday their Serbian power forward Stefan Desnica was ruled out for the remainder of the season, due to an ACL injury. It’s the second season-ending injury to hit the squad after Tolu Antonio tore his patella tendon. Meanwhile, Alex Dolenko is waiting for scan results after hyper extending his knee in the 4th minute of their 70-69 win over UCD Marian last weekend, however head coach Darren McGovern says “it doesn’t look good” for the Ukrainian shooting guard.
There are also doubts over Hillary Netsiyanwa and Mark Reynolds for this weekend, both of whom are carrying knee aches, but McGovern remains positive. “Moycullen in the Kingfisher is one of the hardest places to go and win. Yes we are dealing with a mini injury crisis, but we are in winning form, so I'm confident we can keep growing together. We will definitely need a 40-minute performance to be on the right side of the result on Sunday.”
Moycullen are seeking their first win of the season, but head coach John Cunningham doesn’t think his team will have to wait too much longer to get off the mark. “Another tough game ahead. Éanna have recruited well as always and that’s reflected in their 3-1 league record. We played very well last weekend without reward against Tradehouse Central Ballincollig, but that’s the reality of the league. It’s the most evenly balanced league in my time around the Super League and we’re probably as competitive as we’ve ever been, despite our record. However, we just lack a bit of know-how to ride out our bad patches and other teams good patches. I do think we’re improving though and a first win is not far away. Let’s hope it’s Sunday.”
In-form NUIG Maree travel to Belfast Star. They go into the contest off the back of an InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy National Cup win over holders Griffith College Templeogue and a InsureMyVan.ie Super League victory over previously unbeaten Garvey’s Tralee Warriors. NUIG Maree head coach Charlie Crowley said: “We’re going up to Belfast after two good performances at home. But away games are different and this is something we need to get sorted. Belfast are the reigning Super League champions and have a lot of expertise within their squad. With Adrian (Fulton) at the helm they’ve also got a tremendous coach. They’ve had some big wins against some top opposition, so we’re under no illusions of how tough this game is going to be.“
“We’ll be asking the lads to knuckle down this week and be ready for a difficult game on Saturday. Consistency is what separates good teams from great teams, so we’re looking to follow up our good performances with another this weekend.”
Belfast Star were 67-59 winners at Bright DCU Saints last weekend, head coach Adrian Fulton, gave his thoughts ahead of the game with NUIG Maree. “It is tough to think of tougher opposition than Maree. Charlie Crowley has clearly got his squad playing very well. They have added to a talented and experienced core group, led by a terrific guard in Eoin Rockall. Maree have added a lot of strength with their pros and their confidence must be high after great back-to-back wins. We played some good stuff last weekend, with our bench playing a huge part in the game, but we will need to improve our ball movement and shot selection if we are to challenge Maree.”
In the MissQuote.ie Division One, the pick of the fixtures sees the two remaining unbeaten sides face off, when South Conference leaders NUIG Mystics host North Conference leaders Ulster University.
Paul O’Brien, NUIG Mystics head coach, said: “We are really looking forward to this game. They are a great team with multiple players who can hurt us. We have had the last few weeks off, so we feel well prepared and are hopeful we can get the win.”
Ulster University’s Patrick O’Neill, who won the MissQuote.ie Division One coach of the month award for October, thinks his team will be in for a stern test. “It has been a good start for us, with the team really working well for each other. In Mystics you have the most talented squad in the league and we are under no illusions as to how tough a game this will be in Galway. Paul O’Brien is doing a great job, having assimilated the Maree Super League players into Mystics.”
InsureMyVan.ie Super League Fixtures
Saturday 13th November
Tradehouse Central Ballincollig v Killester (Ballincollig Community School) 1600
Belfast Star v NUIG Maree (De La Salle College) 1830
C&S Neptune v Griffith College Templeogue (Neptune Stadium) 1830
UCD Marian v Team 360 Financial Killorglin (Oatlands College, Stillorgan) 1900
Garvey’s Traleee Warriors v Bright DCU Saints (Tralee Sports Complex) 1930
Sunday 14th November
Moycullen BC v DBS Éanna (NUIG Sports Centre) 1500
MissQuote.ie Division 1 Fixtures
Saturday 13th November
NUIG Mystics v Ulster University (Claregalway Secondary School) 1500
Limerick Sport Huskies v Griffith College Templeogue (St. Munchins College, Corbally) 1630
Marble City Hawks v Swords Thunder (O’Loughlins GAA Club) 1700
Phoenix Rockets v Limerick Celtics (Lisburn Racquets Club) 1830
