We finally have a new professional, Akilah Bethel, in the team to replace the two American import players that left us at Brunell just before Christmas. I had no idea she was on the way as I was away in Prague with the national team, but the day I came back, she was there at training. She is from Baltimore in the States and has played in Australia, Ukraine, Czech Republic and Luxembourg in the seven years since she left her college, Louisiana State University. I'd say it's quite hard for her to adjust to a team with just five regular season games left but she has a great attitude and has been open to everything we do. Akilah has made it easy for us and is just the big presence on the court that we were missing since Mary Dunn and McKayla Roberts returned to the USA. She has taken her introduction to Irish basketball in her stride and shot 23 points in her first game, which was our Cork derby against Glanmire two weeks ago. Our local rivals defeated us with a buzzer beater that day, which is the best way to win a game but also the worst way to lose it. Glanmire only need to win one of their three remaining games to win the regular season title and, given the mettle they have shown, they should do the job. Claire O'Sullivan had said that returning to basketball three months after having her first child was a lot for her at the start of the season. But she has hit peak performance for Glanmire since and she won't let that slide when they face Ulster University on Sunday. They could easily be crowned before we tip off in our game. Expand Close Claire O'Sullivan has been to the fore for Glanmire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Claire O'Sullivan has been to the fore for Glanmire We suffered another narrow defeat to Liffey Celtics last weekend following our loss to Glanmire, which makes our fight to make the play-offs with three games remaining difficult. It's a similar story for my boyfriend Adrian O'Sullivan whose Ballincollig side need to win two of their last three games to advance. It was not great to be left wondering which of us was in a worse position after we both lost our games last weekend. If my Brunell team can end our losing run against Waterford Wildcats on Sunday, that will boost our hopes of making the play-offs. I expect a very high tempo game against Waterford but if we can keep up to speed with them we should better our position. Fingers crossed. WEEKEND FIXTURES SATURDAY InsureMyVan. ie Men's Super League – Ballincollig v Sligo All-Stars, Ballincollig Community School, 4. 0; Moycullen v Templeogue, Leitir Mor, 5. 0; Neptune v Belfast Star, Neptune Stadium, 6. 30; UCD Marian v Maree, UCD Sports Centre, 7. 0; Éanna v Killorglin, Coláiste Éanna, 7. 0; Tralee Warriors v Killester, Tralee Sports Complex, 8. 0. Men's Division 1 – Ulster University v Fr Mathew's, Jordanstown Sports Village, 4. 0; Team North West v Limerick Sport Eagles, ATU Donegal, 5. 0; Portlaoise Panthers v SETU Waterford Vikings, St Mary’s Hall, Portlaoise, 6. 0; Killarney Cougars v Tolka Rovers, Presentation Gym, 7. 15; Dublin Lions v St Paul's Killarney, Coláiste Bríde, 7. 15; Malahide v Limerick Celtics, Malahide Community School, 7. 30. MissQuote. ie Women's Super League – Trinity Meteors v Fr Mathew's, Trinity Sports Centre, 4. 30; Killester v DCU Mercy, IWA Clontarf, 5. 30; Liffey Celtics v Mystics, Leixlip Amenities, 7. 0. Women's Division 1 – Phoenix Rockets v SETU Carlow, Lisburn Racquets, 4. 0; Cavan Eagles v St Paul’s Killarney, Virginia Show Centre, 4. 0; Portlaoise Panthers v Tolka Rovers, St Mary’s Hall, 4. 0; Oblate Dynamos v Limerick Celtics, Oblate Hall, Inchicore, 5. 0;Limerick Sport Huskies v Dublin Lions, St Munchin's, 5. 0; Marble City Hawks vTemplogue, O’Loughlin Gaels, 7. 0. SUNDAY Men's Super League – Demons v St Vincent’s, Mardyke Arena, 3. 30. Men's Division 1 – SETU Carlow v Drogheda Wolves, Barrow Centre, 12. 30. Women's Super League – Glanmire v Ulster University, Mardyke Arena, 1. 30; Singleton SuperValu Brunell v Waterford Wildcats, 2. 45. .