Limerick clubs face crunch National League basketball fixtures

TWO Limerick clubs are due to resume action in Men's Division One and Women's Division One of the National Basketball Leagues this Saturday, January 4.

In Men's Division One, the only two remaining unbeaten teams, Limerick Celtics and ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers start the new year on the road, with the former making the trip to Ballymakenny College on Saturday night to take on Drogheda Wolves, while North Conference leaders, Portlaoise are in UL Arena earlier that same day to face Limerick Sport Eagles.

Both Titans and Scotts Lakers Killarney, who share second place in the South Conference, will also have to negotiate tough away assignments, the Galway outfit taking on an Ulster University side that very nearly toppled the 11 and 0 Portlaoise last weekend.

Scotts Lakers Killarney, meanwhile, head to Dublin to tackle a Mater Private Malahide team looking to add to their double overtime success against Joel's Dublin Lions last weekend.

SETU Waterford Vikings, who, last weekend, ended a run of six defeats at the expense of Killarney Cougars, entertain Carrick Cruisers in SETU Arena, while Team NorthWest head to Scoil Ruain to face Tipp Talons.

Moy Tolka Rovers will be targeting a fourth win on the bounce when they take on Maigh Cuilinn at home, while Joels Dublin Lions make the trip to Killarney Cougars.

With unbeaten Women’s Division One leaders McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles not in action on the opening weekend of the new year, it’s a chance for second place Limerick Sport Huskies and iSecure Swords Thunder to close the gap at the top to six points.

The latter head to the National Basketball Arena for a Dublin derby against Templeogue on Saturday, while Huskies welcome Oblate Dynamos to St. Muchin’s College later that same day.

It’s fourth against fifth, as Limerick Celtics make the trip to Newforge Sports Complex for a date with Cleveland Rockets, while another Dublin derby completes this round of Women’s D1 fixtures, as Abbey Seals Dublin Lions play host to Moy Tolka Rovers in Coláiste Bríde.

FIXTURES:  

Men’s Division One

Saturday, January 4

Limerick Sport Eagles vs ND Audit Portlaoise Panthers, UL Arena, 1400

Ulster University vs Titans BC, Jordanstown Sports Village, 1630

Tipp Talons vs Team NorthWest, Scoil Ruain, 1830

Mater Private Malahide vs Scotts Lakers Killarney, Malahide Community School, 1900

Moy Tolka Rovers vs Maigh Cuilinn, Tolka Rovers Sports Complex, 1900

Drogheda Wolves vs Limerick Celtics, Ballymakenny College, 1930

SETU Waterford Vikings vs Carrick Cruisers, SETU Arena, 1930

Killarney Cougars vs Joels Dublin Lions, Presentation Gym, 1930

Saturday January 11th

Joels Dublin Lions vs Maigh Cuilinn, Coláiste Bríde, 1930

Women’s Division One

Saturday January, 4

Cleveland Rockets vs Limerick Celtics, Newforge Sports Complex, 1500

Templeogue vs iSecure Swords Thunder, National Basketball Arena, 1630

Limerick Sport Huskies vs Oblate Dynamos, St. Munchin’s College, 1700

Abbey Seals Dublin Lions vs Moy Tolka Rovers, Coláiste Bríde, 1730