The first road trip of the season sees Utility Trust St Pauls make the journey on the recently improved N22 as they travel deep into renowned basketball territory.
The Parochial Hall in Gurranabraher has seen many epic battles and is steeped in Cork basketball history and it is there that St Paul’s opponents, Brunell, ply their trade.
The 2024 National Cup winners – silverware named after Killarney’s Paudie O’Connor – are coached by a Kerryman, Liam Culloty. They have won one and lost one of their opening two fixtures and will be keen to get on with business in the absence of their talismanic figure Edel Thornton who suffered an unfortunate ACL injury in the spring.
Another hero from that cup win, Lauryn Homan, missed the win last weekend against the Galway Mystics and she’s another to be watched. The 5’10” guard poured in 23 points on a night of glory for the Cork side.
Danielle O’Leary is Brunell through and through and is now in her 15th senior year with the club and others to watch are Kelly Sexton and, of course, Trinity Hudson, who hit a colossal 49 points against the Mystics.
The manner of St Paul’s win over Glanmire was most impressive with quick ball movement, slick passing and sharp shooting.
The value of Lorraine Scanlon to the squad was there for all to see on Monday night, and alongside captain Denise Dunlea and Siofra O’Shea, they will be juggling their GAA commitments as best they can.
The game tips-off at 2.45pm on Sunday and after the high of the start of the week, James Fleming’s side will be looking to maintain the happy vibe. But Brunell will be keen to take their scalp and build on last year’s National Cup success. It promises to be a fascinating clash.
KillarneyToday.com: Reaching thousands of readers every day. To advertise call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
