BASKETBALL:Basketball lives off statistics. They rarely lie, although the National Cup has a habit of throwing up a surprise or two. Still, it is hard to see past defending champions the Tralee Tigers and Killester progressing to the final on January 27th.
The Tigers won last week's Kerry derby against St Paul's, Killarney, despite Kieran Donaghy and Micheal Quirke being on holidays with the Kerry football team. Both return to action tomorrow as Tralee bring a 10-1 Superleague win ratio into their semi-final against UCD Marian. In contrast, the Belfield team are struggling on the league front with a 3-9 return. UCD will be without point-guard Gary Edge (Achilles tendon).
"It's a fantastic challenge and a great opportunity to take on household names such as Kieran Donaghy and John Teahan," said UCD coach Thomas Tracey. "Their coach (Mark Bernsen) has the side well drilled and they have top American stars in CJ Hadley and Chris Jordan."
The 86-83 quarter-final defeat of the Limerick Lions may be UCD's season-high result.
Killester are attempting to stretch their winning streak to 10 games against the Hoops in the second semi-final, which also marks their third meeting in just over a week. The north Dublin club's coach, Mark Keenan, is awaiting fitness reports on Arnoud Dahi and John Behan.
"Hoops beat us earlier in the season and showed their pedigree in the cup by knocking out UCC Demons at the Mardyke Arena so I am sure they will have nothing to fear," said Killester forward Paddy Kelly.
Hoops, who beat the UCC Demons en route, have a full strength squad. "I'm looking forward to our experienced players such as Jonathan Reed, Ian O'Boyle, Joey Haastruup and Ciarán White to lead the team and provide us with the type of performance that brought us success in the game against Demons amongst others," said Killester coach Martin McGettrick.
In the women's semi-finals, Montenotte of Cork meet UL Aughinish in a repeat of the 2007 final, while the Waterford Wildcats play DCU Mercy.
All matches are live on RTÉ Two, with coverage from the National Arena, Tallaght starting at 12.45pm.
Meanwhile, the Notre Dame basketball team will be in Ireland from August 13th to 25th to face teams from Ireland and Poland in the inaugural Emerald Hoops Program. Besides playing games, the coaching staff and team will hold a series of coaching clinics throughout the country.
FIXTURES: Tomorrow - Men's Superleague Cup (National Cup) Semi-finals: UCD Marian v Tralee Tigers, National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, 1.0 Killester v Hoops, National Basketball Arena, Tallaght. TBC Women's Superleague Cup (National Cup) Semi-finals: Montenotte, Cork v UL Aughinish, National Basketball Arena, 5.30; Waterford Wildcats v DCU Mercy, National Basketball Arena, 7.30, Men's Superleague: UCC Demons v Ballina, Mardyke Arena, 3.30.
