Glanmire host Fr Mathew's in Cork basketball derby

A crucial local derby between Career Decisions UCC Glanmire and Fr Mathew’s tops the billing in the Domino’s Women’s Super League when they clash at Upper Glanmire Sports Complex on Saturday (5pm).

Glanmire coach Mark Scannell, although disappointed with the 93-89 defeat at Waterford Wildcats, felt it was a credit to basketball and a great game to be involved in.

“It is well known I do not like losing but this game was a credit to both sides and unfortunately we just ran out of gas coming down the stretch and Wildcats to their credit took their chances at the death,” Scannell said.

Glanmire have improved big time this season and American duo Viane Cumber and Jewel Watkins have consistently led the way in the scoring department. The Glanmire chief is no under no illusions that he needs players like Aine McKenna, Annaliese Murphy and Mia Furlong firing on all cylinders in the closing weeks of the season.

Fr Mathew’s sadly look destined for Division 1 next season failing to win a game thus far in this campaign.

Granted American Laila Blair is one of the league's leading scorers but in last week’s home defeat to Cavan Eagles, she didn’t look a happy camper when coming in for tight defending from some of Eagles' Irish players. Quality players always find a way to get clear looks at the hoop but Blair didn’t go down that road and seemed to through the motions only to end up with a 13-point tally.

The second Mathew’s American Stacie Jones looks a very decent player with her mid-range jumpers and is capable of hurting Glanmire.

Grainne Dwyer, in the twilight of her career, continues to battle hard and will want to put in a decent shift against her former club.

No doubt Glanmire want to get back to winning ways but Mathew’s will feel they can test their credentials.

DISAPPOINTING

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell were bitterly disappointed with their loss at Liffey Celtics. Coach Liam Culloty will be expecting a huge improvement for their home clash tomorrow against Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers.

The one guarantee Brunell will get from this game is a physical encounter. Culloty will be disappointed with his team’s campaign to date as they have some great strength in depth that are basically underachieving. Too many of Brunell’s players are not contributing on the scoring front and when you have two inconsistent Americans, it’s a recipe for disaster.

Brunell were recently crowned National Cup U20 champions and were runner-up in the U18. The Brunell faithful expected a far better season at Super League level and this is a game they should win in a canter against a side without the same quality.

Another negative for Brunell has been their poor defending.

The season is now entering its closing weeks and Brunell need to push on as getting some consistency into their game will be a start with the play-offs looming.