This weekend will see the men's Premier League turn its focus back to league affairs when last season's National Cup finalist face off once again. This time it will be UL Eagles that are on the road when they make the trip to Cork to take on Bord Gáis Neptune.
Both sides enter the game with determination, desperate for victory as they both chase the undefeated sides of Killester and C&S UCC Demons and try to stay on top.
To date UL Eagles have dropped only one league game while Neptune have lost two. However, UL Eagles enter this game wounded after they saw their National Cup dreams shattered when Dublin Inter knocked them out last weekend whereas Neptune sailed to the next round at the expense of SSE Renewables Moycullen.
Mark Keenan, head coach of UL Eagles is aware of the pressure on his side to park their cup disappointment and focus on claiming the league title once again. He said, "We are disappointed but we need to let it go, our focus needs to be on the league now."
'Tough side'
"Bord Gáis Neptune are a tough side, especially in their home gym in Cork. They have many scoring weapons that we need to be aware of going into this game. Our main aim is to shut down their running game. They are an excellent team on the break and we know we need to contain that if we want to win this game."
Similarly, head coach of Neptune Mark Scannell knows how important this game is for the league standings. He said: "I have been coaching against Mark Keenan for years so I know he will have his team very well prepared going into this game. Ever since we beat them in the National Cup final last year, every game has been a battle between both sides.
"Looking at the league standings, it is clear that Killester and C&S UCC Demons are ahead of the pack. Both we and UL Eagles are hanging on the coattails of them both so we want and need this win to stay at the top. This is a huge game for both sides.
'Real dog fight'
"UL Eagles are going to make us work this weekend, it will be a real dog fight especially as they look to bounce back from their National Cup knockout last weekend. Their American, Delwan Graham, is very impressive too so we need to keep an eye on him, he's been in good form lately."
Elsewhere, Moycullen will face off with Dublin Inter, Templeogue will take on Killester while DCU Saints are paired against UCD Marian. Finally on Sunday, Belfast Star are in action against UCC Demons.
In the women’s Premier League, Meteors take on DCU Mercy in the only game on Saturday.
Meanwhile on Sunday, Ulster Rockets welcome Team Montenotte Hotel to Belfast, WIT Wildcats look to bounce back when they face off with Liffey Celtics and Singleton SuperValu Brunell are back in league action against UL Huskies in Cork.
