BASKETBALL: With the race for the Superleague title entering the homestretch it's hard not to focus on two clubs. Though at least a dozen remain in contention, only Waterford and Killester - albeit for different reasons - appear capable of going the full distance.
Waterford's middle name this season has been consistency. They went with the pace practically from the gun and have turned into the New Year at the top of the table. Though there have been some bumps along the way, coach Michael Evans has instilled remarkable confidence into the team. And with just three losses from 14 games no one can argue with their status of title favourites.
Killester - the defending champions - have taken a harder route to the top. After a succession of defeats and internal shifting early in the season, they are now just two points off Waterford. Their win over St Vincent's during Christmas has added further incentive and it's going to take a major slump in form to see them slide off the front.
Both clubs, however, face interesting tests of character this weekend. Waterford are at home to Tolka Rovers tomorrow, a club still struggling to find consistency but always capable of upsetting the hopes of the title chasers. Indeed in the opening game of the season they handed Waterford a 19-point defeat.
Revenge then won't be far from Waterford's mind and with Ryan Gorman in the action (he missed the first meeting) they should come through. They will be without Joe Malone (currently in Australia), while Tolka welcome back Joey Haastrup from long-term injury.
Killester have an equally tricky task when they travel across town to UCD Marian. Though they do have a full squad, Chris Davis, Eric Jackson and John Quigley have all been suffering with the flu. In their favour, though, will be uncertain form of the opposition.
After a few weeks of mixing it with the leaders, UCD Marian now appear to be sliding down a slippery slope. Worse still, they have lost the services of Hamp Jones, a crucial point-maker in those early weeks. On the plus side they have signed Pierre Shuttlesworth, formerly of St Vincent's fame.
Elsewhere both Tralee and Neptune can expect difficult games in their efforts to stay up with the leaders. Tralee have home advantage over Star of the Sea, but the Belfast club have just got hold of John Leahy - one of the keys to Killester's success last season.
Neptune take on a struggling Notre Dame, who can probably look on the bright side in that their season can't get much worse. Like Killester, Neptune have been gathering some ominous pace and home advantage should help them take the points.
The women's league resumes after a Christmas break and the Wildcats will be looking to extend their lead at the top when they travel to the University of Limerick. Tolka Rovers, however, haven't given up the chase and will be expecting a win over Glanmire.
FIXTURES: Men's Superleague - Tomorrow: UCD Marian v Killester, 7.10; Tralee Tigers v Star of the Sea, 7.45; Sligo v Limerick, 7.30; Waterford v Tolka Rovers, 7.30; Neptune v Notre Dame, 8.0; Sunday: St Vincent's v Killarney Lakers, 3.30; Tyrone v Limerick, 3.0. Women's League - Tomorrow: Tolka Rovers v Glanmire, 5.30; Meteors v Killester, 6.45; University of Limerick v Wildcats, 7.0.
