Cork women's Super League sides are ready for the new campaign starting this weekend
Players from the teams competing in the Domino’s Women’s Super League. Picture: INPHO/NIck Elliott
Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell will open their Women’s Super League campaign with a tricky home game against Waterford Wildcats at the GCU Arena on Sunday (2pm).
This season Brunell have turned to the former Fr Mathew’s and Neptune coach Keith Daly to guide their fortunes in this campaign.
Few would doubt Brunell have underachieved for the last couple of seasons as they possess a wealth of talent among their Irish players.
The former Brunell coach Liam Culloty has returned to his home town Tralee and the new man at the helm will be expected to raise the bar.
Last season coach Daly had a short spell with Neptune Men’s Super League team but after a poor start the club decided to part ways with him.
There is little doubt Daly was disappointed with the decision to replace him but he has now closed the chapter and is looking forward to the coming season.
“I suppose there is always pressure in the Neptune job and results simply didn’t go our way in the opening weeks but look I am now refocused, and enjoying my new role in Brunell,” said Daly.
Recruitment in the professional department is key in Irish basketball and Brunell this season have opted for Katherine 'Kayce' Vaile a 6' 1" centre who played in division one with Swords last season averaging 25.5 points and 17 rebounds per game.
“We discussed last season and felt that we needed to be stronger on the boards and Kayce will give us the required strength in depth that we require,” added Keith.
The second American is a rookie guard Alayna Contreas from Middle Tennessee State university who averaged 14.3 points in her college year.
“We are pleased to have a quick guard who can shoot the ball and hopefully she will help other players get the required looks at the hoop.”
The first season is always a tough task for any coach, but Daly took time to thank his predecessor Liam Culloty.
“I think Liam did a great job over the past four years travelling up from Tralee on a weekly basis and he certainly left a fully tuned team behind him and we wish him well in his new coaching job.”
In captain Edel Thornton they have a player who leads by example and although not having the same speed after her two ACL injuries she is still a guiding light to the younger players.
Another player returning is Lauryn Homan who missed last season with an ACL injury but for now the recuperation is continuing and it could be November/December before she makes a long- awaited return.
It has been a tough preseason for coach Mark Scannell losing up-and-coming player Lucy Walsh to Cork rivals Brunell and with stalwarts Aine McKenna and Claire Rockall calling time on their careers, it could be a testing campaign for Glanmire.
“Look we know it’s going to be a challenging season, but players will have to step up as we are a very young side,” said Scannell.
This season the astute Glanmire chief has signed American’s Emani Jenkins from Troy university and Tasia Jordan from Idaho State and he is reasonably happy with both players.
“The girls are only here a few days but look they have good college stats, and I am hoping they will settle into their stride sooner than later.
“We know that travelling to Trinity is a huge task for us, but we will embrace the challenge and hopefully give them something to think about,” added Mark.
Glanmire are the most successful club in Irish basketball at this level but maybe now with all their stalwarts deciding to step away some of their younger players will be hoping to make an impression at the top tier.
In Emer Dunne they have a good post player whose ability to control the boards saw her called up to the Irish Senior Women’s team last season.
Annaliese Murphy will be a key player this season and on her day is a lethal shooter capable of hurting opposing teams, but the Cork side will need a near perfect performance to get anything from this game.
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