BASKETBALL/Weekend previews:As injuries begin to take a toll, the Men's Superleague moves onto an advanced stage this weekend with the first cross-conference matches. It gives Tolka Rovers the opportunity to finally find the winning formula; they host a developing Limerick tomorrow.
Rovers are the only team yet to record a victory in the Northern Conference, which is something of a mystery as Kenny McFarland and Jermaine Turner have the highest scoring averages in the league. The club will be without Darragh Verschoyle for some weeks, after he broke his wrist in a motorcycle accident.
Limerick coach Tom Hehir is hoping to bring his American count to five by securing guard Keith Friel from Neptune in time for tomorrow. But the Cork side are awaiting confirmation on the fitness of Kenny Gamble (hamstring) before releasing Friel. They travel to St Vincent's, who are still without John Kelleher due to a finger injury.
The Killarney Lakers added another American, Tyrone Levet, to their ranks this week as the struggling Southern Conference team travel to Dublin to take on UCD Marian, while Star of the Sea travel to Cork to play UCC Demons.
Meanwhile, after a hiatus in the Women's Superleague due to international trials, all teams return to action this weekend. Killester travel to Waterford with Gillian Ennis, Suzanne Maguire and Lisa Grennell all injured.
Sarah Healy, back from scholarship in the US, will make her debut for Meteors when they travel to Dublin to face Glanmire tomorrow night.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday - Men's Superleague: UCD Marian v St Vincent's, UCD, 7.10 ; Waterford v Killester, WIT, 7.30; Tolka Rovers v Limerick, Tolka Rovers, 8.0. Women's Superleague: Meteors v Glanmire, Naomh Olaf, 6.45; Wildcats v Killester, Mercy, 7.30; St Paul's v Tolka Rovers, Presentation, 7.30. Men's Division One: Ballina v Falcons, Ballina SC, 8.0. Women's Division One: Mercy Coolock v Sligo Warriors, Coolock, 2.0; University of Limerick v St Mary's, UL Arena, 3.0
Sunday - Men's Superleague: UCC Demons v Star of the Sea, UCC Arena; St Vincent's v Neptune, St Vincent's, 3.30; UCD Marian v Gleneagle Lakers, UCD 3.30. Women's Superleague: Drimnagh v University of Limerick, Oblate Hall 3.30. Men's Division One: Blue Demons v Portlaoise, Mardyke, 1.0; Mullingar v Castlebar, Rochfordbridge, 2.30; Star of the Sea v Queen's, St Malachy's, 3.0; Neptune v Castleisland, Neptune, 3.0. Women's Division One: Star of the Sea v Galway, St Malachy's, 1.0; Donoughmore v Cobh, Donoughmore, 3.0; St Colm's v Portlaoise, Sexton St, 3.0.
