Picture: Marie Carroll-O’Sullivan.
Preview: Enda Walshe
Having had a clear round against their Southern Conference opponents – SETU Carlow, the two Limerick sides, Huskies and Celtics, Marble City Hawks and Moy Tolka Rovers – St Paul’s attention has now turned to the crossover conference games, where the opponents will be from the Northern Conference.
The tussle last weekend with the Phoenix Rockets was the first leg and if that was anything to go by, Utility Trust St Paul’s will need their wits about them in the coming weeks.
The next two Saturdays see them hit the capital for clashes with Templeogue and Swords Thunder while cup conquerors, McEvoy Cavan Eagles, will be in Killarney on Saturday, December 9.
The year is then rounded off with another trek to Dublin to play Oblate Dynamos while the opening game of 2024 will be at home to Abbey Seals Dublin Lions. There will be plenty to chew on for James Fleming’s squad with that run and they will have a real perspective of where they are after that series of games.
The Rockets gave them a real bellyful of it last Saturday night with the team digging itself out of a big hole. That it was able to respond to that difficulty will be a source of both relief and delight for them as it’s not a position they usually find themselves in.
With a 100 per cent record in the league on the line, the performances of Rheanne O’Shea and Leah McMahon were key to the win.
Khiarica Rasheed came up with some big plays at vital moments as well, most notably in the fourth quarter and when you balance out Sofia Paskas 16 points with her 11 rebounds, you see the vital role she played.
Alongside O’Shea and McMahon, Lynn Jones hit some crucial outside shots and is very much the oil in the on-court chain. The return of Lorraine Scanlon this weekend, after collecting a much deserved football All Star award, will be a huge boost and alongside Meabh Barry they provide a major presence inside.
Denise Dunlea’ds form is on an upward curve and with an arduous run of games the squad will be looking to the likes of Liadh Tobin, Cliona Coffey and Niamh Ni Chonchubhair for the extra edge.
Templeogue, for their, part had also made a perfect start to the season until they came unstuck at the UL Arena last weekend.
St Paul’s will be looking to hit top form in this weekend’s encounter as they look to lay a marker between here and Christmas at the top of the table. Tip-off on Saturday is at 5.00pm.
Just a reminder too that Scott’s Lakers are in action again on Saturday, December 9, against Malahide in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre.
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