BASKETBALL/Weekend previews: The Tralee Tigers will learn the full consequences from the continued absence of dual players Kieran Donaghy and Michael Quirke in the coming weeks. Quirke arrived back from the Kerry football team's holiday in North America yesterday but, with Donaghy, may not be available for their encounter with bottom club Waterford on Sunday because of Kerry's McGrath Cup quarter-final against Tipperary in Clonmel.
Both players are expected to be part of Jack O'Connor's senior football panel in 2005 and Donaghy has stated football will be his priority after he impressed for the TG4 Underdogs against Kerry in December.
In the Northern Conference Killester will look to recent signing from Ballina, Laurence Young, to steady their faltering grip at the top of the league when they host St Vincent's, their conquers of a week ago.
Young led their offence effectively last week but a repeat result would see St Vincent's reduce their lead to four points, with a game in hand. If they beat UCD on Sunday it's down to two.
Ballina's revival has put them ahead of the students after they released Young, replacing him with Americans Elijah Warren and Kevin Beard, who contributed 55 points between them in overcoming Shamrock Rovers Hoops last week. Ronan McGarrity is out through injury.
Star of the Sea have been out of action since December 18th and coach Danny Fulton will be hoping the break will work wonders as they attempt to steal into the play-offs. Six foot eight centre Solomon Sheard has arrived at the club to replace Bryce Burch. He goes straight in against Rovers at the National Arena on Sunday.
In the Woman's Superleague, Glanmire will hope to put their recent adverse publicity behind them when they travel to UL Aughinish on Saturday night. New signing Mobolagi Akoide will be the latest to attempt to spearhead victory over the mighty Limerick women, still unbeaten in two seasons.
Killester and Mercy Coolock are on the undercard of the Killester men's match against St Vincent's. Elsewhere, the Waterford Wildcats face the Meteors and St Paul's play Drimnagh.
MEN'S SUPERLEAGUE: Tomorrow: UCD v Ballina, Belfield SC, 7.30; Neptune v Limerick Lions, Neptune, 7.30; Killester v St Vincent's, IWA, 8.0. Sunday: St Vincent's v UCD, St Vincent's, CBS, 3.15; Shamrock Rovers Hoops v Star of the Sea, ESB Arena, 3.15; Waterford v Tralee Tigers, Waterford IT, 3.30; WOMEN'S SUPERLEAGUE: Tomorrow: Killester v Mercy Coolock, IWA, 6.30; Waterford Wildcats v Meteors, Mercy Waterford, 7.30; UL Aughinish v Glanmire, Castletroy College, 7.0; Sunday: Drimnagh v St Paul's, Oblate Hall, 3.30.
