Cork Basketball: Glanmire take on leaders St Paul's in crucial Super League tie
UCC Glanmire's Aine McKenna holds possession ahead of Danielle Murphy O'Riordan of Catalyst Fr Matthew's. Picture: Howard Crowdy
The Domino’s Women’s Super League has reached the penultimate round with the biggest game taking place in the Mardyke Arena on Sunday when Career Decisions UCC Glanmire host leaders Killarney-based Utility Trust St Paul’s.
Glanmire were impressive last weekend when they secured a vital win on the road when toppling Trinity Meteors and coach Mark Scannell will be hoping for much of the same in this game.
The biggest talking point from the Meteors game was the 42-point contribution from American Jewel Watkins. Watkins is a serious shooter and if she can find her shooting range early in this game it could well pose St Paul’s problems.
To be fair, the Glanmire second American Viane Cumber is also a quality shooter and when both are on song, they are more than a handful for any side.
Credit to the Glanmire coach Mark Scannell, he has kept the show on the road over many years with the club producing wonderful sides throughout the noughties.
When you look at stalwarts Claire O’Sullivan and Aine McKenna, two players who have won everything in Irish basketball and continue to be competitive in every game. O’Sullivan took time out for the birth of her two children but has come back looking as good as ever at both ends of the court.
O’Sullivan defends as well as any player in the league and is consistently putting up double digits. In the case of McKenna, she is not the scoring force of yesteryear but still has a huge influence on court for her side, consistently leading by example.
Dooley was always a battling player on the boards, but coach Scannell has potentially found another in this position as Emer Dunne has progressed nicely as the season matured. Annaliese Murphy is a deadly shooter on her best days on court and Mia Furlong is having a solid season.
When the going gets tough Glanmire can look to the qualities of Miriam Loughrey, who is a warrior when her team needs a kickstart.
St Paul’s have invested big time in their squad this season and their win last weekend over Killester is testament to the progress they have made in this campaign. Granted, Killester were missing their star American Samantha Haibi but to win by 14 points on their home court is no mean feat and St Paul’s will feel they can follow it up with a win at the Mardyke Arena.
The Killarney side also have quality Americans in Maisie Burnham and Tara Cousins who have taken the league by storm and Bosman Lovisa Hevinder is capable of posing Glanmire problems.
Lorraine Scanlon has progressed into a decent player and in Leah McMahon and Siofra O’Shea, they have two competitors who will need to be restricted.
In a game that could either way, coach Scannell will no doubt have his troops primed for the mother of all battles.
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell have won their last two games with one American, but they may need a second professional when they host Trinity Meteors at the GCU Arena on Sunday.
Brunell will not be happy with their season as they have quality Irish players that should be making a far better impression in this league. The loss of Lauryn Homan was a blow, but the good news is that she is over her surgery on her damaged ACL and is now in rehabilitation.
Fr Mathew’s will be playing in Division 1 next season following last weekend’s loss to Brunell and they face another huge task tomorrow when they welcome Waterford Wildcats to the Fr Mathew’s Arena.
It has been a tough season for Mathew’s but maybe they will reorganise in the lower division next season and get back playing in the top tier.
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