Moycullen welcome Basketball Ireland Men’s Superleague leaders Ballincollig of Cork to the NUIG Sports Arena this Sunday at 3pm.
The men from the rebel county have made a storming start to their debut season in Ireland’s top hoops league, with three wins from three attempts to date. Led by Adrian O’Sullivan, who has returned home to Leeside after several successful years playing professionally in Europe, Ballincollig will present a stringent test for a Moycullen outfit still seeking their first victory of the new campaign.
Moycullen coach John Cunningham, after some good performances and a couple of close losses by a single basket, says: "It is time for us now to get over the hump and find a win."
“Ballincollig might only be just promoted this season, but they have added to their team significantly since the move up and are fully deserving of their undefeated start. They present a massive challenge, but one we are looking forward to taking on.”
Moycullen will be hoping that last weekend’s break from action, having received a bye in the first round of the National Cup, will serve to re-energise a squad that can count themselves extremely unlucky to still be winless. Losses to NUIG Maree and Tralee Warriors by a single basket in the opening two weeks was followed by a difficult road assignment in Killorglin where a good start and early lead were squandered.
To be successful on Sunday, Moycullen will need to address their defensive inconsistency as Ballincollig pack a serious offensive punch. Alongside the proficient Adrian O’Sullivan is his brother Ciaran, widely recognised as one of the best shooters Ireland has produced in the last decade. When former Belfast Star starting centre and senior Irish international Keelan Cairns is factored in with the dynamic American guard Andre Nation, it is clear why Ballincollig have been able to get to the pace of Superleague basketball so fast.
If the the home side is to treat their fans to a much awaited first win, Moycullen will need big games from their inside duo of Grant Olsson and Joseph Tummon, while guards Kyle Cunnigham and Eoghan Kelly will also have to produce on both ends.
“It is definitely a tough assignment," says Kyle Cunningham, "While we know the Ballincollig lads well with so many of them having played for other Superleague teams in previous years, it will be our first time seeing them in this combination.
“They can really score, so to beat them we obviously need to be strong defensively, but ultimately we will need to find plenty of scores ourselves. Even with a great defensive game, they will get to a good scoreline, so we have to be ready to match that.”
It all points to an entertaining free flowing game on Sunday, with tip off at 3pm in NUIG Sports Centre.
Fixtures
Also in the Superleague, NUIG Maree entertain leaders Garvey's Tralee Warriors at NUIG Sports Centre On Saturday (7pm ), having secured an 85-83 win over Griffith College Templeogue last weekend.
