Utility Trust St Pauls secured a crucial away victory against Killester, allowing James Fleming's team to take sole lead in the table of the Irish Women's Super League. Meanwhile, St Pauls Lakers suffered its second consecutive loss, threatening its position in the top two of the men's league. In the battle to avoid relegation from the Super League, the Neptune team faces serious problems after losing an important home game.

Breakthrough in the title race

St Pauls defeated direct rival Killester and leads the table alone with two rounds left in the regular season.

Lakers' playoff troubles

St Pauls Lakers' second consecutive loss threatened their second place and chance to host quarterfinals.

Neptune in trouble

Neptune lost an important home game to St Vincent's, deepening its problems in the fight to stay in the Super League.

Belfast Star leads

Belfast Star maintained its lead in the men's Super League after a victory over UCD Marian, despite the ejection of a national team player.

In Irish club basketball, key issues are being decided before the end of the regular season. In the women's Super League, a pivotal clash at the top of the table took place. Utility Trust St Pauls, by defeating Killester away from home, took sole lead. Both teams had shared first place since Christmas, but the visitors' victory gave James Fleming's team full control over their fate in the final two games of the season. Irish club basketball has a pyramid structure with several league levels. At the top is the Super League, below which function lower divisions, such as the National League Division 1. The system of promotion and relegation between leagues is a key element of the season, and the fight to avoid relegation can be just as exciting as the race for the championship. In the men's Super League, the leader's situation is stable. Belfast Star maintained its position at the top of the table after an 84:80 victory over UCD Marian. A key role in this triumph was played by new signing Shane Dezonie, who scored 24 points. The match was, however, nerve-wracking for the hosts, as Ireland national team representative Rapolas Buivydas was ejected from the court. Meanwhile, St Pauls Lakers, also a club from Killarney, suffered its second consecutive loss, losing to Templeogue. While participation in the playoffs seems almost certain, the second place in the table, guaranteeing the privilege of hosting a quarterfinal, is threatened by Maree, which still has four games to play. 121:114 — The score of Neptune's loss, which deepened its troubles At the other end of the men's table, a dramatic battle to avoid relegation is unfolding. The Neptune club, after a 114:121 home loss to St Vincent's, finds itself in a very difficult situation. This match was considered absolutely necessary to win in the team's survival plan. Neptune still has two full games to play, plus the completion of a suspended match against Eanna. Currently, survival is no longer in their own hands, meaning they must rely on defeats of their rivals. In the National League Division 1, the second competitive level, Killarney Cougars lost at home to Carrick Cruisers by a margin of seven points, despite a good start to the game and nine points from Paul Adedeji.

Mentioned People

  • James Fleming — Coach of the women's team Utility Trust St Pauls.
  • Shane Dezonie — New Belfast Star player who scored 24 points in the winning match.
  • Rapolas Buivydas — Ireland national team representative, ejected from the Belfast Star vs. UCD Marian match.
  • Paul Adedeji — Killarney Cougars player who scored nine points at the start of the match.