Round one of the men's National Cup this weekend features a heavyweight clash of defending cup champions C&S UCC Demons and current league champions Killester. Killester are without guard Mariano Gomez but Michael Westbrooks could feature after last week's return to league action. Demons coach Colin O'Reilly is wary of playing away from home in the first leg.

“It’s a tough gym but we need to recognise that the tie won’t be won or lost on Saturday. It’s an 80 minute contest,” he said.

Last year’s finalists Dublin Inter meet UL Eagles in a repeat of last year’s Round One tie. BFG played UCD in the league two weeks ago with Coach Ger Noonan conceding that some offensive sets were held in reserve for their meeting this weekend. DCU Saints and Templeogue is a Dublin derby while Belfast Star host Travelodge Swords Thunder on Sunday.

Women’s contest

Women’s National Cup holders Team Montenotte Hotel must travel to local rivals Singleton Supervalu Brunell for the first leg of their Quarter Final on Saturday. The Glanmire side have already won at the Parochial Hall in the league this season, which Team Montenotte Head Coach

Mark Scannell

sees as an advantage.

“I got a look at their American and their new players. It’s nice to have a win in the bag too because that’s going to be in people’s minds.”

Killester will look to park their league form as the only winless side in the Premier Leagues when they travel to Leixlip to face Courtyard Liffey Celtics. DCU Mercy boast the league's top two scorers in Sarah Woods and Caroline Stewart when they host Meteors while UL Huskies are at home to Maxol WIT Wildcats. Huskies reached last year's decider but a much changed side will take to the floor on Saturday.

The Cup offers a chance for teams outside the National Leagues to dream this weekend. Queens of Belfast, Waterford Vikings, KUBS, KCYMS and LYIT Ravens are all hoping to feature in the President’s National Cup while Ballincollig are looking to challenge in the Senior Women’s National Cup.