21 hours Ago By Siadbh Redmond
LIMERICK basketball teams are gearing up for the quarter-finals of the National Cup with all four of the Treaty-based squads in action this Saturday. Wins this weekend will guarantee teams a spot in the semi-finals of the Cup which are set to take place the first weekend in January. This National Cup weekend is made even more interesting with a local Limerick derby thrown into the mix with Limerick Sport Huskies taking on Limerick Celtics women's side.
This will be the teams second meeting of the year after already battling it out in the league. In the Men's Presidents' National Cup Limerick Sport Eagles will make the trip to Galway to take on Titans BC on Saturday evening at 7pm. These two sides have already met in the National League this season with the Galway side coming away with the 95-81 victory in the second game of the year.
Niall McDermott's Eagles have gotten into their stride since this early encounter recording four wins and five losses. In the opening round of the Cup the UL-based side got the upper hand on Ulster University, 94-87, to book their Cup quarter-final spot. Eagles most recently got the better of Killarney Cougars, 93-87, in the National League with Ignacio Folguerias and Alexander Carlisle combining to score 48 points.
Elsewhere in the Presidents' Cup high flying Limerick Celtics will take on Carrick Cruisers. Celtics remain unbeaten so far this season in the league and the cup with Tony Hehir's side already beating Carrick Cruisers this season on a scoreline of 98-89. Celtics are currently top of the men's National League and got the better of Joels Dublin Lions, 90-77 in the opening round of the Cup at the start of November.
In their most recent National League game last weekend Celtics overcame the challenge of Scotts Lakers Killarney, 106 to 70, with three of the Limerick team scoring over 20 points. These players included Finn Hughes, Abdul Wurie and Ariyon Jamal Williams who combined for a total score of 74 of Celtics total points. It's an all Limerick affair in the women's division one National Cup with Limerick Sport Huskies taking on Limerick Celtics for the second time this season.
Both sides got a bye in the first round of the Cup so this will be their first outing in the knock-out competition. Celtics will be looking to retain their crown after winning the title against Abbey Seal Dublin Lions in last year's final. In their previous meeting it was Huskies that came out on top with a 83-73 victory in the first game of the 24/25 league.
Huskies currently sit two places above Celtics in the league table with four wins and two losses. Their most recent victory was a seven-point win over Moy Tolka Rovers. Sophie Moore, Scout Frame and Delia Moore all scoring above 20 points.
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