{"id":387786,"date":"2026-04-08T08:34:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T08:34:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/387786\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T08:34:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T08:34:13","slug":"basketball-ireland-prepares-for-finals-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/387786\/","title":{"rendered":"Basketball Ireland Prepares for Finals Weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ireland\u2019s domestic basketball season reaches its climax this weekend, with four national finals across multiple competitions, all shown live free-to-air on TG4.<\/p>\n

At the centre of the action is the Domino\u2019s Men\u2019s Super League final, where Ballincollig will face Killester on Sunday afternoon at the National Basketball Arena, in a meeting of the top teams from the regular season.<\/p>\n

Ballincollig head into the decider chasing a league and cup double, having already secured the National Cup earlier this year. MVP in that victory, Latrell Jossell, believes his side\u2019s resilience has been forged through adversity.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarting 0-2 meant in almost every game this season we\u2019ve been put in a tough situation, but that has made us resilient,\u201d he said at this week\u2019s media day. \u201cWe\u2019re peaking at the perfect moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jossell, alongside Latavious Mitchell and Josh Steel, has been central to Ballincollig\u2019s rise to the top of the standings and their subsequent playoff wins over Limerick Celtics and Griffith College \u00c9anna. The Cork club are now seeking a second league title in four seasons.<\/p>\n

Standing in their way are Killester, who are targeting a first league title since the 2013\/14 season. Having fallen short in last year\u2019s final, they have navigated a challenging playoff run, overcoming St Vincent\u2019s and Belfast Star.<\/p>\n

Farouq Raheem believes the final is a fitting conclusion to the season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s the perfect final. It\u2019s one versus two from the regular season,\u201d he said. \u201cBoth teams will hopefully be playing with a full deck for the trilogy and it\u2019ll be a really exciting game.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The Domino\u2019s Women\u2019s Super League final will see UCC Glanmire take on Trinity Meteors, with both sides carrying compelling narratives into Sunday\u2019s earlier tip-off.<\/p>\n

Glanmire are targeting a third title in five seasons, driven by the scoring power of Viane Cumber and Jewel Watkins, who have been instrumental in their late-season surge.<\/p>\n

Watkins highlighted the scale of the occasion, saying she is relishing her first championship game since high school and expects a tightly contested encounter.<\/p>\n

Trinity Meteors, meanwhile, are bidding to end a 30-year wait for a league title, having last lifted the trophy in 1995\/96. Their route to the final has included narrow wins over SETU Waterford Wildcats and defending champions Killester.<\/p>\n

Catherine Connaire believes those experiences will prove valuable. \u201cSunday means so much to the club,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s been thirty years since we\u2019ve been in this position.\u201d<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s schedule adds further intrigue with promotion on the line in both Division One finals.<\/p>\n

In the Men\u2019s Division One decider, Limerick Sport Eagles face Titans, with the winners earning a place in the top tier. Titans\u2019 head coach Erin Bracken has already made history this season as the first female coach to win the league\u2019s Coach of the Month award.<\/p>\n

Limerick Sport Eagles, meanwhile, are also chasing a league and cup double, having already claimed the National Cup title.<\/p>\n

In the Women\u2019s Division One final, Cleveland Rockets and Limerick Celtics will compete for promotion to the Super League for the first time, underlining the growing depth and competitiveness of the women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n

With all finals taking place at the National Basketball Arena and broadcast live, the weekend represents a major visibility opportunity for Basketball Ireland and its commercial partners.<\/p>\n

The combination of elite competition, compelling storylines and national broadcast coverage reflects the continued growth of the domestic game and its increasing ability to attract audiences across traditional and digital platforms.<\/p>\n

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Image Credit: Basketball Ireland, Inpho.ie<\/p>\n

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\"\"<\/a>Basketball Ireland and TG4 are full members of Sport for Business.\u00a0 If you would like to join them and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the conversation happening every day around the commercial world of Irish Sport,\u00a0email us today<\/a>\u00a0and let\u2019s see what is possible.<\/p>\n

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ABOUT SPORT FOR BUSINESS<\/p>\n

Sport for Business is Ireland\u2019s leading platform focused on the commercial, strategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies and public institutions through high-quality content, events and insight. Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, and how your story can be part of ours.<\/p>\n

Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practice and make better-informed decisions. Its work positions sport not just as entertainment, but as a vital contributor to Ireland\u2019s social and economic fabric.<\/p>\n

Find out more about becoming a member today.<\/a><\/p>\n

Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.<\/p>\n

Sign up for our News Bulletins here.<\/a><\/p>\n

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