MSL National Cup action returns with plenty of Limerick involvement

Killester v Limerick Eagles, Saturday 18:00, IWA Clontarf

Killester became champions of the Domino’s MSL National Cup for a sixth time in the 2024/25 season, only to lose in the quarter-finals last season. Killester began the 2026/27 Domino’s Men’s Super League with a 3-0 record but have since lost three games on the trot to leave them in fifth place.

Josh Wilson has been crucial to Mike Olson’s side, tallying up 125 points in six games, while their latest signing Kyle Carlesimo has already reached 69 points in only three games.

Limerick Eagles enter the Domino’s MSL National Cup as 2025/26 Domino’s MD1 National Cup champions. The Munster side defeated Drogheda Wolves 83-67 in the final, as Ryan Leonard came out top-scorer on the day.

Alex Carlisle, Darragh Horkan and Tobias Christensen were also top-scoring threats for Eagles last year, and have continued their flying form into the 2026/27 Domino’s Men’s Super League season.

Limerick Celtics v Garvey’s Tralee Warriors, Sunday 15:15, Crescent College

The 2023/24 Domino’s MD1 National Cup winners Limerick Celtics take on Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in round one of the Domino’s MSL National Cup, after reaching the semi-finals last year.

Ballincollig stopped Celtics in their tracks at the final four stage of the 2025/26 Domino’s MSL National Cup, after the Limerick side bet UCC Demons and St Vincent’s in the opening rounds.

Limerick Celtics currently sit atop of the Domino’s Men’s Super League, with only one loss to their name in the opening six games. Sebastian Cole leads the scoring charts for Limerick Celtics, while Tiras Morton leads the league in assists, rebounds and steals. Garvey’s Tralee Warriors currently sit in ninth place with a 3-3 record, as Alec Millender and Jaden Daughtry lead the points tally for the Kerry side with 137 and 107 respectively.

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors ventured all the way to the Domino’s MSL National Cup final last year; however, a tough Ballincollig side boasted a 104-77 win to defeat the 2021/22 champions.

Limerick Celtics dismantled Garvey’s Tralee Warriors in their recent Domino’s Men’s Super League contest, as the Limerick side ran away 88-69 winners. Celtics began the contest with a high-scoring 27-point quarter, before taking a commanding 14-point lead into the second half.

Limerick Celtics didn’t stop the onslaught there, as they outscored Tralee Warriors 22-14 in the third quarter, before eventually leading by 27 in the final period. Tralee Warriors attempted a late comeback and bridged the gap to 15, but Tony Hehir’s men closed the game out to win by 19 points on the road.

In WSL National Cup action, the Limerick Celtics take on VSC Cavan Eagles.

Limerick Celtics v VSC Cavan Eagles, Saturday 19:45, Crescent College

Domino’s WSL National Cup debutants Limerick Celtics will have home advantage over the 2024/25 Domino’s WD1 National Cup champions VSC Cavan Eagles in round one this weekend.

Last season, Limerick Celtics failed to get past the quarter-finals of the Domino’s WD1 National Cup, losing to Moy Tolka Rovers, as VSC Cavan Eagles were also halted at the final eight by Trinity Meteors in the Domino’s WSL National Cup.

Limerick Celtics have climbed to eighth position in the Domino’s Women’s Super League, winning two out of six games so far. Celtics picked up their first victory of the season against Midlands Park Portloaoise Panthers in a 64-55 win, before narrowly beating Killester 66-64 the following week. Jeni Levine leads the scoring charts for Limerick Celtics with 146 points, while also leading the league in assists.

VSC Cavan Eagles enter the first round of the Domino’s WSL National Cup as Domino’s Women’s Super League leaders. So far, the Cavan side have only suffered one loss and have managed to secure five wins.

Kilah Freelon leads the league in rebounds, averaging 18.3 per game, while also leading her side in points. Her American teammate Darrione Rogers has tallied up 117 points for the season, topping the three-point chart across the league.

In Women’s Division One National Cup action, the Limerick Sport Huskies await the winners of Clunetech Kilkenny Stars or Moy Tolka Rovers.

The pair will do battle for a chance to play the Limerick side in the quarter-finals.