With just four weeks and seven games remaining, Killester are in a position where they will have to throw away the ESB League title rather than anyone snatch it from them. Their two-point lead at the top of the table may appear tenuous but they are in fact freewheeling to the first league-cup double in seven years.
Sunday's game against the Demons is likely to be the last major test in Killester's drive for the title - their first since 1976 and the first double since the Saints in 1994. If they lose, the confidence and momentum may take a knock but it will still require a major surprise for one of their rivals to sneak past them in the homestretch.
The Saints are still holding on to second place but have played two extra games and lost seven in total, compared to Killester's four. In other words, Killester will have to lose three of their final seven games to give the Saints any hope. Nothing about their recent form suggests that is likely to happen.
Coach Mark Ingle will be without a few players for the game against the Demons. Jerome and Michael Westbrooks are involved with the St Fintan's schoolboy side and will miss the trip to Cork, and John Quigley is doubtful with an eye injury. The Demons do have a reputation for beating the best but Killester have more than enough depth to see them safely through.
Waterford, Tralee and Notre Dame are among the teams in the shadow of Killester and still with a remote chance of closing down the lead. Of those, Tralee have the most crucial meeting with Limerick in tomorrow's live TV game (TG4, 5.0). If they win, and Killester lose two more, the two clubs will meet in a pivotal game on March 10th. Elsewhere, UCD Marian meet Waterford tomorrow in a game both sides need to win to halt a slide down the table. Marian fell from joint leaders to fourth in matter of weeks, and Waterford are just one position ahead. But Damon Shoultz has proved a most useful signing for Waterford and they are likely to sustain their advantage on the Dublin club.
The meeting of Star of the Sea and the Saints is equally crucial. Defeat would be the end of the Saints for another year, although coach Joey Boylan has a full squad available.
The Wildcats sit out the action in the women's league this weekend, so the focus falls on Tolka Rovers. Still with an outside chance of stealing back the title, they travel to Limerick tomorrow with a much depleted team but still with some hope of clawing back the Wildcats.
The ESB Player of the Month awards for January went to Eric Jackson and Jillian Hayes. Jackson was prominent in Killester's cup victory at the end of the month, as was Hayes in helping the Wildcats defend the women's cup.
