Glanmire have momentum heading into Cork basketball derby against Brunell

It certainly is a big weekend in Cork basketball for derby games and on Sunday, Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell will face great rivals Career Decisions UCC Glanmire in the Domino’s Super League at the GCU Arena.

December has been a tough month for Brunell as they exited the Paudie O’Connor National Cup to a very average Flomax Liffey Celtics side.

Last weekend it got worse when they lost on the road to St Paul’s Killarney and the Brunell faithful will be under no illusions that this is a game they will not want to lose.

When the sides clashed in the first round at the Mardyke Arena Brunell came out on top 80-75 after putting in a superb fourth quarter outscoring their opponents 21-12 in that period.

To be fair the Glanmire coach Mark Scannell has helped his side improve to be serious title challengers.

In Americans Jewel Watkins and Viane Cumber they have two serious athletes who have both showed great consistency throughout this campaign.

Brunell rely heavily on captain Edel Thornton and her class was shown against St Paul’s when she chipped in with 31 points. Glanmire will have to find a way to nullify the Thornton threat as many of their Irish players are not performing.

A quick glance at Brunell stats against St Paul’s showed four players getting double-digit minutes and not returning with a basket. The Brunell American pairing of Brailyn Joseph (11) and Maddie Cluse (12) are decent players and although only returning with 23 points between them they need to see more of the ball.

CRUCIAL

Another plus for Glanmire has been the form of Claire O’Sullivan whose displays this season have been from the top drawer. O’Sullivan can score, defend and assist and to me has been crucial to Glanmire’s bid for silverware this season.

This is a game that could go either way and the Brunell faithful would like team to complete a second defeat on their Cork rivals in front a big attendance at the northside venue.

Catalyst Fr Mathew’s are still in search of their first win of the season and they will not have a better opportunity when they clash with Midland Park Portlaoise Panthers at St Mary’s Hall.

Mathew’s are in a battle with the Midlanders as they have only won one game and that was against the Cork side.

The Model Farm Road outfit made a good signing last week when recruiting American Stacie Jones who had 18 points in her debut defeat at home to Liffey Celtics.

Mathew’s coach Jason Barry could do with a change of luck and if veteran Grainne Dwyer can concentrate solely on her own game this is an opportunity to break their duck. The second Mathew’s American Laila Blair is an excellent shooter, and she will have to be prepared for a physical battle in this encounter.

Not a game for the faint hearted but for me Mathew’s have every chance of breaking their duck.