Sport

Women’s Premier League leaders Liffey Celtic facing the acid test

Title credentials will be examined by a visit to formidable Team Montenotte Hotel

Dublin Inter coach/point guard Mazvydas Cepliauskas will be leading his side’s challenge against Killester. Photo: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Dublin Inter coach/point guard Mazvydas Cepliauskas will be leading his side’s challenge against Killester. Photo: Cathal Noonan/Inpho
Fri Nov 28 2014 - 01:00

This weekend’s Women’s Premier League action features a top of the table clash between Courtyard Liffey Celtics and Team Montenotte Hotel.

Team Montenotte, who currently lie in second place with a game in hand on leaders Celtics, will enjoy home advantage in Glanmire and Marie Breen is expecting a physical encounter.

“This next couple of weeks brings us into cup season and Liffey Celtics are a lot stronger so we’re really looking forward to the test. It’s going to be a battle,” she said.

Celtics’ coach Vinny O’Keeffe says it’s an historic time for the club. “We’ve never led the league before so why not dream? We respect Glanmire but we don’t need to fear them. It will certainly give us an indicator of where we stand.”

READ MORE

This weekend marks the halfway point of the season and Killester will seek their first win when they welcome UL Huskies to Clontarf. UL’s sole win of the campaign came in early October against the Dubliners but Killester’s American recruits have now had more time to settle in.

Maxol WIT Wildcats and Singleton SuperValu Brunell will look to strengthen their grip on the play-off places when they meet on Sunday. Both sides suffered losses in the first leg of the cup but earned wins in their most recent league outings.

Tough trip

In the Men’s Premier League, UL Eagles face a tough trip to the Mardyke Arena to face C&S UCC Demons. Eagles coach Paul Kelleher spent three seasons at the helm with Demons and is aware of the challenge.

“Demons have been the top side on their home court over the last seven years. It’s a double whammy as they’re also the deepest and most athletic team in the league at the moment.”

Fresh from their cup win over DCU Saints, Belfast Star host BFG Neptune.

“Neptune are a top side but we feel on our day that we can beat anybody,” said coach Neal McCotter. “The last four or five games we’ve been more and more competitive and we’re starting to get the wins we deserve.”

Coach/point guard Mazvydas Cepliauskas will be hoping his club can move off the bottom of the table with a win at home to Killester on Sunday. Killester host Templeogue in Clontarf at 8pm this evening in the hope of narrowing the gap to leaders UCC Demons.