Super League playoffs: Ballincollig face a tough tie against Limerick Celtics as Glanmire take on Brunell
Killorglin's Jordan Blount defends against Latavious Mitchell, Ballincollig. Picture: Larry Cummins
It is down to the business end in the Men’s and Women’s Super League playoffs this weekend with Ballincollig involved in a crucial quarter-final against Limerick Celtics at the MTU Arena tomorrow (4pm).
In the Women’s Super League play off there is Cork derby tomorrow at the Mardyke Arena (7.30pm) where Career Decisions UCC Glanmire host their great rivals Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell.
Ballincollig have most definitely been the team of the season in this campaign and their clash with Limerick Celtics will be an interesting one.
Ballincollig’s win over Belfast Star last weekend ensured they were winners of the regular season but now despite their impressive campaign they must ensure they don’t lose to a side who have lost 13 games.
On the other side of the coin the Limerick side defeated them in the opening game of the league back in October but since then Ballincollig have defeated them twice (1cup).
This scribe forecast early doors that this Ballincollig side would go close to completing the double as their professional trio of Latavious Mitchell, Latrell Jossell and Josh Steel are simply the best in the league.
Mitchell at the post is a handful and if he gets the rights assists, he will pose the Celtics defence problems with his sheer power going to the hoop.
Jossell is the best shooter in the Super League by a country mile and his MVP display in the National cup final was possibly the best shooting display ever witnessed at basketball headquarters.
The Cork side will need Jossell to be at his best and if he shows a glimpse of his best it will give his side a foot into the final four.
On the Bosman front Josh Steel is also number one as he has a superb shooting skills in his locker coupled with incredible defensive skills that makes him a very special signing.
The Ballincollig Irish players are led by international Adrian O’Sullivan who has had a very solid season.
O’Sullivan is sharp in the offence court and a solid defender who excels in games of this magnitude.
In Dylan Corkery Ballincollig have one of the most underrated players in the Super League as he gives his team a little bit of everything.
Keelan Cairns is capable of hurting teams with his slick shooting outside the arc and in Ronan O’Sullivan coming off the bench he is a player that excels mixing it on the boards.
The Ballincollig player coach Ciaran O’Sullivan has been known to drain a few shots outside the arc during his distinguished career at this level.
Limerick Celtics have a very good American in A J Williams, but their second American Abdul Wurie is not a player that you would expect to hurt Ballincollig.
There is little doubt the Celtics Irish players are useful with Finn Hughes, Ruari Cronin and Philip Kearney all capable of hurting Ballincollig if not getting the required attention.
Career Decisions UCC Glanmire face a Brunell side that have defeated them twice this season but on current form they will fancy their chances of turning the tables.
The Glanmire Americans Jewel Watkins and Viane Cumber have been outstanding in this campaign and if they come to play in this clash it could spell trouble for Brunell.
Glanmire also have experienced Irish players in Aine McKenna and Claire O’Sullivan and that could prove crucial in this game.
O’Sullivan has been a revelation this season and her omission from the recent Irish Senior Women’s squad beggars belief with some of the players that were chosen ahead of her.
The one plus for Brunell is they have a player with the quality of Edel Thornton and if she is on her game Glanmire will be punished.
Brunell’s Americans Brailyn Joseph and Kyaja Williams will need a season best for Brunell to prevail but the northside club do possess an array of local talent in their squad.
This game could well go down to the wire with the winners playing the winner of the St Paul’s and Liffey Celtics game in the final four.
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