Edel Thornton's return to form been key to winning run for Brunell as they gear up for Cork derby

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell will be hoping to keep their recent winning run in the Domino’s Women’s Super League intact when they host Catalyst Fr Mathew’s at the GCU Arena on Sunday (2pm).

The Cork side, fresh from their win over Midland Park Portlaoise Panthers, will know complacency could be dangerous in a derby game.

The return to form of captain Edel Thornton has really helped Brunell as her leadership skills rubs off on her teammates.

Thornton was inspirational when leading the Irish women’s team to a famous win over Bosnia in Dublin and was also prominent in their unlucky overtime loss to Israel in Riga, Latvia. In Brunell’s cup win over St Paul’s in Killarney, Thornton gave an exhibition and if ever a team needed a player to excel in the coming weeks the northside club do.

To be fair, Brunell have recruited well this season with Americans Brailiyn Joseph (23) and Maddie Cluse (15) having a steady influence in their win over Portlaoise Panthers.

The big plus for Brunell is the number of quality Irish players they have in their squad, but coach Liam Culloty has got to find a way to use them to his advantage with big games on the horizon.

Ave and Katie Walshe can be explosive and if Lauryn Homan continues to believe in her ability to put the ball in the hoop there is no reason why this team cannot be vying for the major honours this season.

In this clash, Brunell should do the business against a side still in search of their first win but they do have an American who is possibly one of the best players in the league. Laila Blair is quality but sadly some of her teammates are rookies. This will be another tough test for the skillful American.

Coach Jamie Barry is doing well without getting the required results and barring a minor miracle they look destined to be playing division one ball next season.

Veteran Grainne Dwyer continues to battle like a warrior but time waits for nobody and she has lost the zip she once possessed but credit to her for showing the will to compete at this level.

Brunell on their home court are usually competitive and surely nothing less than maximum points will suffice.

HOME COMFORTS

UCC Glanmire also have home comforts on Sunday when they host Trinity Meteors at the Mardyke Arena (1.30pm).

The visitors fresh from their impressive win over leaders Killester will feel they have Glanmire’s measure also in this crucial game.

The Glanmire coach Mark Scannell will be well aware that Trinity are a team with plenty of players with ability to pose his team problems.

Another plus for Glanmire is they have two quality Americans in Viane Cumber and Jewel Watkins who are both excellent shooters.

On this occasion, the professional duo will face good defenders in Kylie Horstmeyer and Ava Learn but it’s the shooting of Hazel Finn they will need to restrict. Another quality player is Cork-born Sarah Kenny who is dangerous if not getting the required attention.

In Trinity’s win over Killester they played some outstanding defence and Glanmire will need to be at it from tip off.

Aine McKenna has had a slow start to the season by her standard but she showed in their win last weekend against Mathew’s that she is still is a prolific shooter when finding her range.

Fellow stalwart, Claire O’Sullivan continues to excel and Miriam Loughrey after a slow start to the campaign battled like a trojan that suggests she will soon be up to speed.

There is little doubt this will be a tough test but surely Glanmire on home terrain should prevail.