O'Brien boost for Killester

11890 Killester and Bord Gáis Neptune, who had an extra week to prepare given their non-involvement in the last round of fixtures, are set for games against UCD Marian and DCU Saints respectively.

Unbeaten Killester are boosted by Kieran O'Brien's return ahead of their clash with a buoyant Marian tonight.

O'Brien has missed the club's last three games due to work commitments, while Paddy Kelly remains absent.

"UCD are a team coming off some great wins so confidence will be high," said Killester head coach Mark Keenan.

"We will need to be very sharp to beat them."

Despite their recent good form, Marian head coach Fran Ryan is expecting a mammoth challenge against the reigning league champions.

"They are now the benchmark for all the teams and are on a great unbeaten run," said Ryan.

"They have been winning games with a margin to spare so it's hard to get a grip on how much they are ahead of the rest of us.

"Mark Keenan has a terrifically well drilled group of talented players," he added.

"Isaac Westbrooks' addition makes them a stronger team than last season and we must remember they have been winning even though they are without the best player in the SuperLeague, Paddy Kelly."

Elsewhere, Neptune head coach Pat Price believes DCU Saints will put their recent winning run under threat.

"We will need to value the ball and demonstrate improved shot selection in order to have a chance of success," said Price.

"Despite the Saints' recent losses, they are essentially travelling with the same line-up that knocked us out of the playoffs last season, so I would expect that we will be excited and prepared for the match."

DCU Saints continue to be without Mike Trimmer, who is likely to be ruled out for the remainder of the season.

DCU Mercy return to the realities of the IrishSport.TV Women's SuperLeague at Black Forge Oblate Dynamos, while Killester host a tough challenge in the shape of UL.

Coming off a National Cup quarter-final victory last weekend, Mercy are poised to meet Oblate Black Forge Dynamos in a Dublin derby this evening.

Mercy will look to veterans Lindsay Peat and Suzanne Maguire to lead the pack.

Head coach Mark Ingle said: "Playing Dynamos in the Oblate Hall will make it a much more physical game and we will need our veterans Peat and Maguire to step up and take control early on."

TONIGHT

Nivea For Men's SuperLeague

Bord Gáis Neptune (Cork) v DCU Saints (Dublin); Neptune Stadium, 7.30. UL Eagles (Limerick) v UCC Demons (Cork); UL Arena, 7.30. Belfast Star (Belfast) v Ulster Elks (Belfast); De La Salle College, Andersonstown, 7.15. 11890 Killester (Dublin) v UCD Marian (Dublin); IWA Clontarf, 8.15.

IrishSport.TV Women's SuperLeague

11890 Killester (Dublin) v UL (Limerick); IWA Clontarf, 6.15. Black Forge Oblate Dynamos (Dublin) v DCU Mercy (Dublin); Oblate Hall, 7.0.