Preview: Enda Walshe
Having been successful in Galway last Sunday Utility Trust St Paul’s will attempt this weekend to put back-to-back wins together for the first time this season.
That win in the Kingfisher Gym wasn’t the most fluid but when the fat was on the fire in the third quarter James Fleming’s side pulled out all the stops to record an 85-65 triumph.
They will be looking to tap into that form to get the better of a Portlaoise side with whom they have an interesting rivalry.
In the first season back in the National League it was Portlaoise Panthers who pipped them in the League final and thereby gained promotion to the Superleague. It was a Jessica Fressle inspired effort that gained the laurels that day and the Midlanders have made themselves comfortable in the top flight since.
Interesting in its timing, Fressle has since rejoined the Panthers only in the past fortnight after a spell with the Dublin Lions. She will again team up with Alyssa Velles, a dynamic duo in their day.
The Panthers have strengthened considerably with the acquisition of Lynn Tunnah from Templeogue. She is a prolific shooter and is averaging 18 points per game for her new side.
Amy Dooley has featured in James Weldon’s international squad regularly, having previously plied her trade with Glanmire. Namesake Shauna is a regular contributor alongside Ciara Byrne. With very little between the teams in mid table, they will target this game to climb up the table.
Mathilde Diop has settled in with her new team, highlighted by her double double at the weekend but this week has seen Anja Marinkovic leave the club.
The form of Gracen Kerr and Megan Ormiston has been central to St Paul’s this season, with both players having a good chemistry on and off court.
Rheanne O’Shea has shown her know-how in the division as has Lorraine Scanlon who must be ranked amongst the best sportswomen the county has ever produced.
Siofra O’Shea and Denise Dunlea will be back in tandem for the clash and it must be said Simeone O’Shea has made her presence felt in recent weeks.
Meabh Barry is the ultimate squad player, always ready to hustle, and Lynn Jones appetite shows no sign of abetting judging by her performance in Galway. Leah McMahon will return for this home fixture and has shown great maturity this season.
The game tips off at 4.00pm on Saturday in the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre.
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