BASKETBALL: There are several reasons why Notre Dame could be deemed automatic favourites for this weekend's ESB National Cup final. They've won four of the last six men's cup titles, they're currently joint leaders of the Superleague after a 10-game winning streak, and as always they'll have home advantage at the ESB Arena in Tallaght.
But this year there are as many reasons to fancy the chances of Belfast club Star of the Sea. Of this weekend's four semi-finalists they are the only club yet to win the title, and having now reached the finals weekend for the eighth time their hunger for victory couldn't be any greater.
Defeat to Limerick in last year's final was particularly disappointing having played so well in the semi-final. It means Danny Fulton has now coached Star to seven semi-finals - and then three finals - without any joy but perhaps more than any other season the club are approaching this weekend closest to their peak.
Star have been setting the pace in the Superleague since the start of the season and currently have a game in hand over joint leaders Notre Dame.
Crucially, they've managed to keep their squad injury free and their more youthful spread is the sort of slight edge that could benefit them greatly should the two teams meet in Sunday's final.
Before that, however, there is the matter of the semi-finals to be decided.
Notre Dame are on court first tomorrow afternoon (2.0) when they face UCC Demons, the obvious underdogs for this year's title. Though well placed on the league table, the Cork club will almost certainly struggle with the scoring ability of Notre Dame, for whom Anthony Jenkins, Jo Jo Chambers and Brandon Hughes have been outstanding all season.
Killester then provide the opposition for Star (4.0).
As the 2001 cup champions Killester certainly won't fear the Belfast club - and have also beaten them in the league this season - but there's not doubting who has the stronger squad this season. Scott Summersgill has been in outstanding form for Star, along with John Leahy and the always-lively Adrian Fulton.
Both semi-finals and the final are live on TV (Network 2) and if everything goes to form then Sunday's final (4.0) has the makings of a classic. Star, if they make it, won't be lacking in desire, and the older age profile of Notre Dame, should they come through, may cause the Dublin club problems - especially in meeting the demands of two hard games in as many days.
The women's final also has the potential to produce first-time champions in the form of the University of Limerick.
As Superleague leaders their form speaks for itself, and they'll have Jillian Aherne back from two weeks of injury to strengthen their squad. Tolka Rovers (with Suzanne Maguire and Molly Watson unavailable) will find it hard going in tomorrow's semi-final.
Similarly, the Wildcats are well fancied to by-pass Drimnagh and make progress to the second final place.
The Dublin club are making their maiden voyage to the cup finals weekend, and only a major upset will prevent a Wildcats-Limerick final on Sunday.
Later this evening the junior men's semi-finals open the cup weekend, with Notre Dame starting the search for a fifth title when they play Castlebar, followed by St Brendan's against UCC Demons.
The junior women's title, meanwhile, could yet be decided between Tipperary neighbours the Talons and Presentation Thurles - a situation which reflects the strength of the game in the county.
ESB NATIONAL CUP SCHEDULE: Tonight (semi-finals) - Junior men: Notre Dame v Castlebar (6.45), St Brendan's v UCC Demons (8.45); Tomorrow (semi-finals): Junior women: Wildcats v Presentation Thurles (9.30), Tipperary Talons v St Paul's (11.30); Senior men: Notre Dame v UCC Demons (2.0); Star of the Sea v Killester (4.0); Senior women: Drimnagh Dynamoes v Wildcats (6.0); University of Limerick v Tolka Rovers (8.0); Sunday (final): Junior women (9.30); Junior men (11.30); Senior women (2.0); Senior men (4.0).
