Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell and UCC Glanmire hoping to make National Cup semi-finals

A huge weekend for Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell and UCC Glanmire as they are both involved in home Paudie O’Connor National Cup quarter finals.

Gurranbraher Credit Union Brunell will possibly have the toughest assignment when they welcome holders Liffey Celtics to the GCU Arena (2pm).

Brunell have already lost at home to the Kildare side in the Super League and no doubt they will have learned from that defeat.

Americans Brailyn Joseph and Maddie Cluse have been a revelation for the northside club all season and in recent weeks Liffey Celtics signed a new American Destiny Bursch with this game firmly in their sights.

The one guarantee you get from Liffey Celtics is a physical game and Brunell will have to be prepared to battle and fight for every ball.

In their win over Mathew’s last week without ever looking likely to lose they were scrappy and their shooting and passing options will need to be sharper.

In the last round of this championship Brunell defeated St Paul’s away and that win was impressive as the Kerry side are difficult opponents on their home court.

The home fans will be expecting a big game from their captain Edel Thornton who contributed 21 points when they overcame St Paul’s.

Thornton is an exceptional athlete and having experienced some bad injuries in her career she continues to battle hard at both ends of the court.

Looking at Brunell this season at times their Irish players do not contribute enough in the offence court and if they can get that right I see no reason why they cannot book a place in the last four.

The Kildare side will travel to Cork feeling they can put one over on the Cork side for the second time this season and it will all come down to which Irish players can step up to the mark.

Usually in games of this significance professionals usually cancel one another out but for Brunell can have few excuses as they have the firepower among their Irish players to do the business.

UCC Glanmire coach Mark Scannell was buoyant after Sunday’s league win over Trinity Meteors and they will be favourites to advance when they host Portlaoise Panthers at the Neptune stadium (2pm).

This season Glanmire have certainly signed two quality Americans in Jewel Watkins and Viane Cumber whose numbers this season is up there with the top professionals in the league.

To be fair Watkins and Cumber have produced quality displays on a consistent basis and if they come to play in this clash there will only be one winner.

Coach Scannell has consistently built championship winning teams over a 20 year period and with this squad he has every chance of mixing it with the best.

Another huge plus for Glanmire has been the return of Claire O’Sullivan who contribution to Irish basketball should be commended.

O’Sullivan is a warrior at both ends of the court and if she can stay fit and healthy Glanmire have a chance of getting some silverware in this campaign.

The return of Amy Dooley has given Glanmire some mettle on the boards and playing against her former club will be a test for her in a game of high stakes.

The midlanders can be tough opponents and were unlucky last weekend when losing out to Waterford Wildcats 75-70.

In that loss professionals Alyssa Marie Velles (24) and Jessica Fressle (18) contributed 42 points and Glanmire will need to shut down their scoring threat.

Irish players Lyn Tunnah and Megan Dunne are useful on their day as Glanmire’s defence will hold the key to the outcome.

The Glanmire captain Aine McKenna is in the twilight of her career but in recent weeks has shown a major improvement in the shooting department.

The only issue for Glanmire will be complacency but if they are fully focused on the job in hand surely a semi- final berth awaits them.