The ‘Ultimate’ InsureMyVan.ie Super League test, Champions Trophy comes in to focus in MissQuote.ie Super League

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors have recovered from an indifferent start to the campaign to give themselves a fighting chance of making it to the post-season in defence of their crown, but must overcome a Moycullen side clawing for their survival, if they’re to continue that resurgence. ‘Moycullen are tough, play together and are well coached. A good win last week will have them coming in with great confidence. We have trained hard this week in preparation and are looking for another balanced team performance,’ said head coach John Dowling. Moycullen supremo John Cunningham wants his players to hit a landmark for the Galway club, as they go in search of back-to-back wins: ‘Tralee is always a game we look forward to, despite them being the only team (to the best of my knowledge, outside of Sligo who we haven’t played yet) that Moycullen have never beaten in Super League.  We’ve come close a couple of times so, hopefully Sat night will be the occasion everything goes right. Everything will have to go right though as they’re a huge challenge at home.’

Enerygywise Ireland Neptune have assembled a very talented roster under Colin O’Reilly, as recent form shows. They’ve won three of four, putting up 100 points or more in each of those wins, but this weekend’s cross conference matchup with Killester (9-5) poses a different kind of challenge. The Clontarf based club currently sit third in the Northern Conference, their head coach Brian O’Malley wants them to bounce back following defeat a week ago: ‘Looking forward to the game, disappointing result last weekend and the challenge this weekend is big. With the line-up Neptune have assembled and Colin on the sidelines, they’re formidable. They probably haven’t clicked into gear yet but that makes them all the more dangerous.’

Staying in the Northern Conference, a battle has also developed for the fourth and final playoff spot between EJ Sligo All-Stars (6-9) and Griffith College Templeogue (5-10), although Bright St. Vincents (4-11) might also think they have a shot at sneaking it too.

The All-Stars have dropped their last three games and that schedule doesn’t get any easier when Northern Conference leaders Belfast Star (12-3) come to the Mercy College. It was a one-point game in the reverse fixture in October but both sides look and feel very different now. The home team have lost key players such as Greg Poleon to injury. However, Belfast Star head coach Adrian Fulton knows a difficult tie lies ahead: ‘Sligo are a really difficult proposition, particularly at home despite the loss of Greg Poleon and Andy McGeever. We were lucky to beat them in Belfast and know that it will be a very difficult game. The lads have continued to work hard all week. One of the best things about the league this year is how competitive games are every weekend. If you aren’t ready to go, any team will be in trouble.’

A big performance by Griffith College Templeogue against DBS Éanna could see them end the weekend occupying that playoff position. Mark Keenan’s team are aiming to bounce back from a two game losing run, but form rarely counts for much in a derby situation. Speaking ahead of the contest, Keenan alluded to just that: ‘Our local derby games with DBS Éanna are always great occasions. Both sets of fans really come out and support their teams. We will have to be at our best this weekend to upset them. They have a great squad of players and are having a great season. We are really looking forward to this challenge.’ DBS Éanna are themselves looking to regain some momentum having lost three of four. Head coach Darren McGovern wants to see a better all round performance from his roster: ‘Templeogue have caused every team issues all season long and I expect no different on Saturday night. I’m expecting an answer from our guys and looking for a better offensive result.’

Flexachem KCYMS (4-11) picked up a much-needed win against Griffith College Templeogue last week in the fight to remain in the top tier. An upset of high-flying UCC Demons (11-4) this Saturday would be music to the ears of boss Declan Wall: ‘We have been playing well last few weeks and coming off a big home win against Templeouge, we look forward to the challenge. They are unbeaten in 7 now so we will need to have the same appetite and maybe more to win this one. Hoping for a strong finish to the season.’ That aforementioned winning streak by Daniel O’Mahony’s UCC Demons stretches all the way back to a shock defeat to Moycullen in November. The addition of Michael Randolph Jr. seems to have unlocked a new dimension to their offence in 2023.

The remaining InsureMyVan.ie Super League fixture is another Dublin derby between Bright St. Vincents and UCD Marian (2-13) fraught with jeopardy for opposing reasons. Josko Srzic’s north Dublin side can potentially move within one game of a playoff berth with victory, while Ioannis Liapakis may yet harbour hopes of escaping a relegation playoff, if his young team can get one over on their local rivals in Glasnevin.