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Scotts Lakers v Paris Texas Kilkenny
Sunday at 3pm
(Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre)

A full house is expected at the Auracle on Sunday afternoon as the Scotts Lakers host Kilkenny with the Division 1B Shield up for grabs. It has been a rollercoaster first year back in the big time but a win in their final game would secure a precious piece of silverware for Killarney’s favourite sports team. With the teams neck and neck at the summit, it promises to be a fiercely competitive encounter.

The Lakers’ fine run of form came to an abrupt end in the capital last weekend as they lost by five to the Dublin Lions. A poor first quarter showing left them with too much to do and despite Antuan Bootle and Dailian Mason combining for 56 points, they fell to their first defeat in six games.

Luckily, their biggest title rivals also came up short on Saturday. Matt St Amour got 39 points for LIT as they triumphed over Kilkenny in Limerick, a result which means the Lakers remain three points clear in first. Kilkenny have a game in hand, however, and they’re very firm favourites to overcome bottom-of-the-table Galway on Saturday evening. The Titans have only won two games all season.

If Kilkenny slip up but then go on to beat the Lakers, the sides will be level and will have to be separated by points difference. Cormac O’Donoghue’s team are currently 32 points better off so only a right hammering on Sunday would knock them off the top.

If, as expected, Kilkenny win on Saturday, the clash in Killarney the following day will be a straight, winner-takes-all decider.

Division 1B isn’t necessarily where the Lakers want to be operating but victory in the Shield will be a nice touch and give them something to build on for next season. They gave a good account of themselves against some of the teams challenging for the 1A crown earlier on in the campaign so they’re certainly not a million miles away. It’s the club’s first time back in the National League in almost a decade so if you offered them a piece of silverware back in September, I’m sure they would have taken it.

A big home performance this weekend and, of course, a victory would be a great way to sign off for the regular season.