Cork Basketball: UCC Glanmire can keep Super League run going against Wildcats 

UCC Glanmire will be hoping to record their third consecutive win in the Women’s Super League when they host Waterford Wildcats at the Mardyke Arena on Sunday (1.30pm).

The Cork side had to show their battling qualities to defeat Portlaoise Panthers last weekend and coach Mark Scannell is hoping American Viane Cumber returns to action having missed that win after picking up an injury.

The one plus for Glanmire has been the return to form of Claire O’Sullivan, who contributed 18 points in their win over Portlaoise Panthers. Another positive is that Irish players are beginning to find their form and they will need to be at it against this Wildcats side.

It has been a disappointing start to the season for the Deise outfit who have lost two of their opening four games the latest coming last weekend to Brunell.

In Sarah Hickey, they have a solid player who is showing better form than their Americans Sanija Brikname and Jasmine Walker.

When these sides meet anything goes. No doubt the Mardyke arena could be in for another cracking encounter.

TOUGH TASK

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell got back to winning ways with an impressive away win over Waterford Wildcats and they have another tough task when hosting Liffey Celtics at the GCU Arena tomorrow (7pm).

The win was made all that bit sweeter when they managed to do it without their captain Edel Thornton, who is expected to return for this clash.

The Brunell American duo got a wake-up call in their home defeat to Killester and their professional pairing of Maddie Cluse (32) and Brailyn Joseph (15) certainly showed more intensity over the four quarters.

Winning at the Waterford venue is always a tough ask and Brunell will be happy they managed to secure maximum points.

Liffey Celtics, under new coach Hillary Nets, are presently 0-4 and that will not be going down too well with their fans. Celtics haven’t experienced this losing sequence for a number of years and Brunell will need to be on their guard for a response from the Kildare outfit.

It is unknown whether or not Thornton will be fit to resume playing but Brunell will need to be ready for a physical battle.

Sorcha Tiernan is a very good shooter that Brunell will need to shut down and if they can play with intensity and belief there is no reason why they cannot inflict a fifth consecutive defeat on the Celtics.

SERIOUS

Catalyst Fr Mathew’s put in a serious shift at Killester last weekend before going down 83-76.

For new coach Jamie Barry it was his sides' best display of the campaign and they have a great chance of getting their first win of the season when they travel to play Cavan Eagles.

Mathew’s will need their American duo of Laila Blair and Lexie Givens to repeat the display they showed against Killester as this Cavan side are a tricky outfit on their home court.

Veteran Grainne Dwyer continues to excel and this is a great opportunity for them to secure the all-important first win.