BASKETBALL: Neptune are now just two games away from the ESB Superleague title, their first in three years and a record 11th in total. A 13-point win over Tralee on Wednesday night means that victories in their two remaining games - against Waterford next Wednesday and St Vincent's next weekend - will guarantee them the title, writes Ian O'Riordan.
While the Cork club sits out the action this weekend, they will watch closely tomorrow's meeting between Star of the Sea and Limerick. After losing to Tolka Rovers last weekend, Star now need Neptune to lose for their title hopes to be kept alive, whereas another defeat for the Belfast club would be fatal.
But having come so close to both the league and cup titles it has been a disappointing end to the season for Star. Limerick won't be easy opposition either and in their current form it could be all over for the Belfast side come tomorrow evening.
In the women's Superleague, Tolka Rovers have to defeat Killester and St Paul's in their remaining games to ensure their place in the National Championship. The Dublin club, however, have been struggling all season and won't fancy their chances.
Men's ESB Superleague: Tomorrow - Waterford Crystal v UCC Demons, WIT, 7.30; Star of the Sea v Limerick, Jordanstown, 7.15; Notre Dame v Killarney Lakers, ESB Arena, 8.0; Tralee Tigers v St Vincent's, Tralee SC, 8.0; Killester v Tolka Rovers, IWA, 8.0; ESB Women's Superleague: Tonight - Killester v Tolka Rovers, IWA, 8.0; Tomorrow - St Paul's v Tolka Rovers, Presentation, 7.30.
ROWING: Success at international level in recent years has lifted the profile of rowing in Ireland, but some of the strongest clubs have had difficulties in maintaining momentum in the same period. However, new clubs have also been formed and old ones revived, writes Liam Gorman.
Newry is an instance of a revived club and its head of the river has only been back on the scene for three years. Yet tomorrow's event, over 5,100 metres from Victoria Lock to the town centre, has an entry of 138 competitors. There are two heads, at 11 o'clock and two o'clock.
The entry for the open single sculls is particularly strong: Mick Desmond's five charges (Commercial's Albert Maher, Seán Jacob and Ciarán Lewis and UCD's Con Collis and James Mangan) should gain a fair indication of their present standing when they take on the likes of Garda's Kenny McDonald and Tommy Colsh in the second head. The open eights event also features Garda, with Queen's the other entrants.
