Saturday 7th February

4:00pm Women’s BIDL vs Drogheda Wolves

7:00pm Men’s National league Vs Dublin Lions

Maigh Cuilinn Basketball Club is set for a big Saturday at the University of Galway Sports Arena, with a home double header that sees both the men’s and women’s senior teams in national league action — a clear marker of how far the club has progressed.

The afternoon tips off at 4.00pm with the women hosting Drogheda Wolves in the Basketball Ireland Development League. This is Maigh Cuilinn’s maiden season at this level and the squad has more than held its own, competing strongly against established opposition and showing steady improvement as the campaign has gone on.

Led by former Irish soccer international Julie-Ann Russell, whose experience and competitiveness have been invaluable, Maigh Cuilinn will go into the game as favourites against a Wolves side sitting near the bottom of the table. While playoff qualification remains unlikely, the women have laid strong foundations in their first year in the BIDL and will be keen to finish the season with momentum, particularly in front of a home crowd. With a blend of experience and emerging talent, this is another important step in the group’s long-term development.

Attention then turns to the men’s game at 7.00pm, when Maigh Cuilinn face Dublin Lions in a National League clash with real significance. It is the men’s first home fixture of 2026 after a demanding January spent largely on the road, and it arrives with the playoff race finely balanced.

Dublin Lions are one of the form teams in the league, sitting second in the Northern Conference with an 11–4 record and winners of eight of their last nine games. They average over 85 points per game and are led by American guard Russ Marr, who is averaging 26 points per game in his first professional season. Marr’s scoring ability, pace and physicality make him one of the most difficult matchups in the league, and slowing his influence will be central to Maigh Cuilinn’s defensive game plan.

Maigh Cuilinn come into the contest sitting one game outside the playoff places, very much in the mix to qualify for the postseason for a second year running. Last weekend’s narrow defeat away to Limerick Sport Eagles showed again that they can compete with the league’s top sides, and Saturday presents a major opportunity to turn strong performances into a statement result at home.

With both teams in action, Saturday promises a full afternoon and evening of basketball in Galway. The club will be hoping for a strong home crowd to build across both games and help drive two important performances as the season enters a crucial phase

Categories: Ladies, Men's Superleague, Mens, News