Limerick Celtics and Limerick Sport Huskies clash in opening round Division One derby

DOMINO'S Women's Division One action returns to Limerick this weekend and all roads lead to Limerick Educate Together for the clash of the Treaty's finest when the Limerick Celtics face the Limerick Sport Huskies in the opening round of the new season.

READ MORE: Limerick Celtics Head Coach Tony Hehir looks ahead to upcoming Super League season

Tip-off on Saturday is at 4.45pm on what will be the second game of the weekend after Templeogue take on the Dublin Raiders in TUD Tallaght in a big Dublin derby.

Both Limerick sides will be looking to build on what were positive campaigns last season, which culminated in the pair meeting in the play-off semi-finals.

In what was an epic encounter, overtime was needed to separate the teams in St Munchin's College. The Celtics ended up five-point victors on the day which set up a chance to gain promotion to the Super League with only a final berth against McEvoy's Cavan Eagles standing in their way.

Unfortunately for the Celtics, their Cavan opponents ran out 67-58 winners on the day.

The Celtics will be aiming to use that final heartbreak as fuel for this season, where excitement levels are growing, according to their head-coach Jordan Hehir.

"We are all very excited now, to start it with the derby like we did last year is the best way to get into it I think, it builds excitement from the get-go," Jordan Hehir said.

"We have had three new players come in since last year. Aoife Morrissey has come back from Glanmire who she was playing with last year, we have Katie Black who transferred to us from the Huskies and Aisling Jordan who came in from our under 20 squad."

Hehir says that a Limerick derby is the best way to ring in the new season.

"I think it's great, it builds the excitement within the club, especially all of the younger kids who get to see the derby on the opening weekend, that's the best way to start off with it."

The Celtics head coach also says that the success of both teams last season adds an extra layer of intrigue to Saturday's fixture.

"What adds to it all is the fact that both clubs managed to do so well last year, finishing second and third and having an amazing semi-final in the league last March.

It was great for basketball and it was great for basketball in Limerick."

Hehir admits he would love to see his side go one step further than they did last year.

“I would like to us go and win it and to have two teams in the Super League from Limerick Celtics, I think that would be fantastic.

"Not only the league but to go and win the cup would be brilliant also. I think the cup is great because obviously it builds excitement and it also acts as a great boost mid-season, having that under your belt,” he said.

“It can give you the confidence to go and try to win the play-off race at the end of the year,” he added.

Whatever the result on Saturday evening, neither side will have the chance to rest on their laurels as the games will begin to come thick and fast.

The Huskies are back in action next week when they welcome the Clunetech Kilkenny Stars to Limerick Educate Together and the Celtics travel to Belfast to face the Cleveland Rockets at the Lisburn Racquets Club.