Basketball: The Tralee Tigers have two vital games on the road this weekend that will not only define their season but the fate of the whole Superleague.
Starting tonight, they travel to Cork to meet the league's only unbeaten team, the UCC Demons, with a line-up that has been strengthened by the return of Micheál Quirke. Now that the football season is winding down, the big Kerry man can give his full concentration to his second sport.
The Tigers also added Melbourne centre Luke Egan, all 6ft 7in of him, to their roster this week after releasing David Walker. The 30-year-old journeyman has played in America and Asia, but this will be his first taste of the European game.
Along with fellow countryman Luke O'Hea and Quirke, Egan will ensure the Tigers become a hugely intimidating physical threat.
They were heavily beaten by the Demons in the previous encounter this season, although the challenge was severely handicapped by the ejection of player/coach Eric Bush.
Then, tomorrow they head to Limerick in an attempt to avenge another earlier defeat. This will be a chance to curb the momentum of a side that has won four of their five matches.
Elsewhere, St Vincent's play Shamrock Rovers Hoops, who have just signed Irish student Dave Barry, in Glasnevin at 8pm, while Star of the Sea seek a first victory against UCD Marian at home tomorrow night.
The University of Ulster team have been struggling due to the loss of experienced players like Gareth Maguire, so the wait may continue, especially considering the form of the students who lie second in the northern conference table. UCD proved their quality last week by managing 119 points despite losing to Tralee.
Neptune hope Dajan Smith has recovered some fitness ahead of their encounter with the Killarney Lakers on Sunday, but otherwise the over-reliance on Bosman signing Adam Piszczuk will continue. Team captain Stephen McCarthy is another still carrying a pre-season injury.
Also on Sunday, the National Cup back door meeting between Ballina and St Vincent's takes place in Mayo.
FIXTURES: Today: UCC Demons v Tralee Tigers, Mardyke Arena, 8.15; St Vincent's v Shamrock Rovers Hoops, St Vincent's CBS, 8.0. Saturday: Star of the Sea v UCD Marian, UUJ, 7.15; Limerick Lions v Tralee Tigers, UL Arena, 7.30. Sunday: Neptune v Killarney, Neptune Stadium, 3.15; National Cup: Ballina v St Vincent's, Ballina SC, 4.0.
