Glanmire are the form team in the country and if they play to their potential they will beat Meteors

Career Decisions UCC Glanmire will be hoping to win their first Domino’s Women’s Super League title in years on Sunday when they take on Dublin side Trinity Meteors at the National Basketball Arena.

Just like their male counterparts this game will be televised live on TG4 (1.15pm) and coach Mark Scannell is looking forward to bringing his back to basketball headquarters.

“It’s huge game for our club and credit must go to my players who have worked very hard in ensuring that we have a chance of bringing another major title back to our club,” said Scannell.

Credit to coach Scannell his team looked in big trouble last season when they struggled to mix it with the elite sides in the league.

It is well known that signing quality professionals is crucial at the top tier of basketball whether it be in the Women’s or Men’s SuperLeagues and coach Scannell certainly got it right in that department.

Signing professionals Jewel Watkins and Viane Cumber was a very shrewd move as both players are ace shooters and tremendous in defence.

On top of this they both can rebound and that’s been crucial in their season to date.

“Sadly we didn’t play to our potential in the cup semi- final against Killester back in January but I think we learned from that loss and actually defeated Killester in the League when we played them again,” added Scannell.

Glanmire are one of the most successful clubs in Irish basketball at he top tier but in recent years they have struggled but coach Scannell is used to rebuilding teams during his impressive coaching career.

“For me, the secret is keeping the conveyor belt going and I must say the attitude within this group of players is spot on and it would be fitting if we could finish the season that would give us our 11th title since 2006.” 

The Leesider’s have quality Irish players led by stalwarts Claire O’Sullivan and Aine McKenna.

O’Sullivan has been a revelation this season consistently on double figures, but it is her defensive and rebounding skills that make her a very special player.

Ironically, her husband Ciaran is player coach of Ballincollig and it could be a first to see a husband- and wife team win Super League titles in the same season.

Captain Aine McKenna is a great leader and although struggling on the scoring front she is still a clutch player.

In recent weeks McKenna has been suffering with a calf injury and coach Scannell will be hoping the treatment she received in the past fortnight will be good enough to play her part in this final.

Annaliese Murphy has really come to the fore in recent games and just like her American teammates has quick hands in the art of shooting.

Another Glanmire stalwart Miriam Loughrey has also been struggling with back spasms over the past month but coach Scannell is confident she will have a part to play in this final.

When coach Scannell was rebuilding this squad, he found a solid duo in Emer Dunne and Faye McDonnell.

Dunne’s progress saw her capped at Senior level for a first time this season and McDonnell is another player to improve as the season matured with her tigerish approach on the boards.

Trinity Meteors are serious challengers having knocked out the favourites and holders of the championship Killester in the semi final.

In Americans Kylie Horstmeyer and Ava Learn they have quality players and Irish International Hazel Finn will need to shut down as she is a very good scorer.

The one plus for Glanmire is they have already defeated Meteors twice this season although it took overtime to separate the teams when they last clashed in Dublin.

Predicting the outcome of finals can sometimes be a difficult job, but on this occasion I am confident Glanmire will do the business.