BasketballKillester's dominance of the northern conference will come under scrutiny over the coming weeks after they lost a second imported player in a week as American Mike Martin has followed his cousin Colin Tabb back over the Atlantic.
Martin was the club's top scorer, Tabb being their best player, and their exodus has left a gapping hole in Jerome Westbrooks squad. It also puts added pressure on their home-grown talent - like the coache's son, Aaron Westbrooks - to fill the void.
How they will fare in the short term will become more apparent on Saturday night when they face the lowly-rated Killarney Lakers.
St Vincent's will be keen to reel in their Dublin rivals and maintain their unbeaten run when they face Shamrock Rovers Hoops tonight. Rovers coach Ken Black is a former St Vincent's coach, but there will be no room for sentiment as both sides intend to keep their seasons on track.
Ballina's troubles have still not relented. After ending their losing streak last week against Star of the Sea, they crashed out of the cup on Wednesday, losing to Waterford. They must now refocus on the league when they face the Limerick Lions and UCC Demons on Saturday and Sunday.
Demons coach Pat Price was honoured at the Philips Manager of the Year Awards yesterday, after leading the Cork club to cup success last year. "Josh Lewis is a handful around the basket, while McGarrity is a major perimeter threat. We need to improve defensively as well as maintain our focus if we are to make the play-offs," said Price.
Elsewhere, The Tralee Tigers' team-mates Ciarán Donaghy and Michael Quirke will be on opposing sides of the football pitch this Saturday, ahead of their game against Waterford on Sunday. Donaghy lines out for TG4 reality football team The Underdogs who face the All-Ireland Champions, Kerry, a team that includes Michael Quirke.
MEN'S SUPERLEAGUE - Friday: St Vincent's v Shamrock Rovers Hoops, St Vincent's CBS, 8.00. Saturday: Limerick Lions v Ballina, UL Arena, 7.30; Star of the Sea v UCD, UU Jordanstown, 7.15; Killester v Killarney Lakers, IWA, 8.00. Sunday: Shamrock Rovers Hoops v Killarney Lakers, ESB Arena, 3.15; Tralee Tigers v Waterford, Tralee SC, 3.30; UCC Demons v Ballina, Mardyke Arena. Men's National Cup Round Two: UCD v Queens St Vincents CBS 3.00.
WOMEN'S SUPERLEAGUE - Saturday: Killester v St Pauls, IWA, 6.00; Mercy Coolock v Waterford Wildcats, Mercy Beaumont, 6.30; Meteors v UL Aughinish, Naomh Olafs, 6.45; Glanmire v Drimnagh, Littleisland, 7.30.
