Domino’s Women’s Super League Week One Preview

Mark Scannell believes Trinity Meteors to be “a tough start” for Career Decisions UCC Glanmire as the two finalists go toe-to-toe in gameweek one. Trinity Meteors will begin their title defence at home in Coláiste Íosagáin, as Anthony Dodson's side look to win only a second title since 1993. 

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell host SETU Waterford Wildcats in a Munster derby and 2025/26 regular season winners Killester welcome Utility Trust St. Pauls to Oblate Hall. Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers will begin their season with an early tip-off against VSC Cavan Eagles, and FloMAX Liffey Celtics introduce Limerick Celtics back to the top division of Irish basketball. 

Trinity Meteors v Career Decisions UCC Glanmire, Saturday 17:30 

Trinity Meteors took the spoils in the Domino’s Women’s Super League playoff final last year, winning their first title since 1992/93. Career Decision’s UCC Glanmire came agonisingly close to tipping the scales in their favour, eventually losing by six points. 

There were no runaway contests between the sides last season, as their other two encounters finished in Glanmire’s favour, winning 85-81 and 94-97. Career Decisions UCC Glanmire have welcomed Tae Jordan and Emani Jenkins to the fray, with Emer Dunne committing to another year in blue. Head coach Mark Scannell spoke about the youthful impact on his team. 

“It’s good to get going. We’ve a young squad and two new Americans, so it’s going to take some time to gel and form a pattern of play,” said Scannell “The games are where we learn the most. Trinity Meteors away will be a tough start but we’ll prepare and be ready to go.” 

Anthony Dodson will lead Trinity Meteors into battle this year, following the departure of Seamas Donnelly at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season. Irish internationals Hazel Finn and Aisling Moran will continue to feature for Dodson’s side, while Morgan Lenahan returns after a stellar 2024/25 campaign with Trinity Meteors, where she averaged over 17 points-per-game. 

Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers v VSC Cavan Eagles, Saturday 14:00 

VSC Cavan Eagles made it two from two against SETU Waterford Wildcats in last year's Domino’s Women’s Super League, winning 70-57 and 53-83. Only one position separated the sides last year, with VSC Cavan Eagles narrowly reaching the playoffs and Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers escaping relegation in ninth place. 

Darrione Rogers and Kilah Freelon will play their basketball at the Virginia Show Centre this year, as John Stephens builds on his squad who gained promotion to the Domino’s Women’s Super League in 2025. Casey Mulvey comes back for another year of Super League basketball, and sisters Ellie and Emma Glavin make the switch to VSC Cavan Eagles, having recently played for University of Galway Mystics. 

Midlands Park Portloaise Panthers have added 6’1 guard Bria Shine to the roster, as well ex-London Cavaliers guard Chinwe Iwunze. Head coach Ger Jago also announced that Alyssa Velles will return for another year of Super League action, having played the second most minutes for the Laois side last year, only beaten by Lynn Tunnah who has signed to FloMAX Liffey Celtics. 

Killester v Utility Trust St. Paul’s, Saturday 17:00 

Mark Grennell’s Killester fell narrowly short of a three-peat in the Domino’s Women’s Super League when they crashed out of the playoff semi-finals to Trinity Meteors by two points, but the signing of American guard Isabellah Middleton shows an eagerness to get back to winning ways. 

“The start of every season is always difficult to get right but with every difficult moment or player missing, comes an opportunity for someone else. We are feeling good, we have had a great preseason in terms of getting Sarah Power, Sorcha Kelly and Amy Elliott lots of minutes and we believe this will allow them to contribute throughout this season for us,” said Grennell. “St Paul's are obviously a tough challenge, but you have to play someone in the first game. They have a lot of weapons and sometimes you can focus on the unknown of the new pros but that would be silly as we know the threat the returning players pose.” 

Utility Trust St. Paul’s signed two electric pros in Angelina Robles and Paula Reus Piza, who will make the multi-county trip to Dublin in gameweek one. Head coach James Fleming has given the captain’s armbands to Irish international Lorraine Scanlon and Rheanne Kelly (O’Shea), while Maisie Burnham also returns for another season in Killarney. 

The sides were evenly matched last season, with one win going to either coast of Ireland. Killester ran away 14-point winners in game one; however, Burnham’s 20 points and 10 assists gave Utility Trust St. Paul’s the victory in game two. 

FloMAX Liffey Celtics v Limerick Celtics, Saturday 18:00 

Newly promoted Limerick Celtics have been busy during the signings season, bringing in talent from across the globe. Their emotional promotion to the Domino’s Women’s Super League was a showing of pure determination, as Amy Buckley’s bucket with 1.7 seconds left sent the game to overtime.  

Treasure Thompson and Jeni Levine join Limerick Celtics from stateside, as Éabha Booth travels cross-country to sign from Templeogue. The return of Sabhbh Edwards Murphy, Meabh Purtill and Laura Buckley will aid Jordan Hehir’s side in containing the FloMAX Liffey Celtics powerhouses, such as Brooke Kane or newly signed Nya Epps. 

FloMAX Liffey Celtics secured 10 out of 18 wins in the regular season, earning themselves a deserved spot in the playoffs. Hillary Netsiyanwa can rely on veterans, such as Aine O’Connor who enters her 15th season with the squad, and on the upcoming youth, such as Rachel Doyle and Erin Boyce. It’s hard to mention FloMAX Liffey Celtics without talking about Sorcha Tiernan, who has represented Ireland on the national stage and who guided FloMAX Liffey Celtics to a WSL National Cup in 2025. 

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell v SETU Waterford Wildcats, Sunday 14:00 

There was very little separating these Munster teams last year, as they both finished on 10 wins and ended the season only one place apart. Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell took an early win in the 2025/26 campaign, beating SETU Waterford Wildcats 76-82 in gameweek four, and completed the double when they won the second outing 85-80. 

Keith Daly has recruited from far and wide, bringing in Kayce Vaile who tore the Domino’s Women’s Division One apart last year and signing Alayna Contreras from Middle Tennessee State University. 

“We’re really excited to get the season underway. We’ve had a positive pre-season and are looking forward to seeing that work translate into competitive games,” said Daly. “SETU Waterford Wildcats are a very good team, so they’ll provide a great challenge for us in our opening game.” 

SETU Waterford Wildcats will once again be in the hands of Jillian Hayes for the 2026/27 season, as she brings some fan favourites back to the court. Sisters Sarah and Kate Hickey will take to the court for the Wildcats once again, with American’s Kaithlyn Flanagan and Brooklyn Gray boosting the roster.