Trinity Meteors have had an eventful start to the 2024 / ‘25 Basketball Ireland Women’s Super League season, highlighted by a hard-fought victory over reigning champions Killester. Following a narrow opening loss to UCC Glanmire, Trinity Meteors bounced back to stun Killester 66-62 at home, followed by a tough loss to Liffey Celtics who are currently top of the Basketball Ireland Super League table. The team’s early performances have set the tone for a competitive season ahead.
Sarah Kenny, a standout performer in the victory against Killester, reflected on the team’s ability to come together in key moments. “It was truly a great team effort,” she said. “We collectively decided to stay composed and focused, which helped us push through and secure the win.” The resilience shown after a narrow two-point loss to UCC Glanmire in the opening game has been a testament to the team's mental strength. “We have a fantastic group of girls who can move on from setbacks quickly. We focus on resetting, getting back to work at training, and preparing ourselves for the next game,” Kenny explained.
Balancing basketball with her academic responsibilities, particularly while completing a PhD at Trinity, has been a unique challenge for Sarah. “As someone who is both a competitive athlete and an academic, I constantly strive for excellence, managing the demands of both can sometimes feel overwhelming, but I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved so far,” she shared, expressing gratitude for the support system that has helped her navigate the dual responsibilities, including her friends, family, the team at Trinity Sport and her supervisor, Professor Suzanne Cloonan.
Head coach Hillary Netsiyanwa was clear about the importance of the win over Killester. "Getting a win early in the season is important for a number of reasons, but the main one is to show our own team what we are capable of," he said. While satisfied with the result, Netsiyanwa emphasised that the team is still a work in progress. "We have things to work on, and we are not at our best yet, so the hunger remains. It’s a long season, and our confidence and momentum will grow as the season continues."
Netsiyanwa credited the team’s resilience to their experienced players. "One thing I’ve always found throughout sport and life is that if your team is willing to fight for each other, you've got half the battle won." Looking ahead, Netsiyanwa remains optimistic but grounded. "Each game is different; I believe the girls know we still have work to do."
Emma Merriweather’s impact on both ends of the floor has been crucial for Trinity Meteors. When asked about her approach to facing the defending champions Killester, she kept it simple: “I trust myself and, most importantly, I trust my teammates to do their best regardless of who we play.” That trust translated into a dominant performance, as Merriweather and teammate Sarah Kenny combined for 27 rebounds, while Merriweather also made an outstanding 14 out of 15 shots in the game against Liffey Celtics.
Reflecting on the win over Killester, Merriweather remarked, “I believe it showed the league that Trinity Meteors have entered the conversation, and it also proved to ourselves that we are a threat as well.”
Merriweather also emphasised that the adjustments made after the loss to UCC Glanmire, particularly around shot selection and defence, were key to their success. Balancing her basketball career with her studies at Trinity Business School has been a rewarding experience. “I get to wear my business clothes during the day and my jersey during the evenings. I feel like Batman,” she joked.
Despite a tough loss in their most recent game against the Liffey Celtics, the team remains positive. Kenny acknowledged the disappointment but sees the game as a learning opportunity. “Liffey are a very strong, well-organised, and experienced team. Playing against them taught us a lot,” she said, emphasising that the team is still developing and will improve with time. Merriweather, on the other hand, prefers not to dwell on the loss. “I just trust myself and my team to learn and grow from any loss. And we are doing just that—moving forward.”
With a talented roster and strong leadership both on and off the court, Trinity Meteors are poised to build on their early-season performances. The team will look to regroup after their match against Liffey Celtics and continue their campaign with the backing of the home crowd. As head coach Netsiyanwa put it, “Having the support on the sidelines cheering for everything you do and having people invested in your success is an unmatched feeling.”
We’re calling on the entire Trinity community to come out and support Trinity Meteors as they take to the court at Colaiste Iosagain on Saturday, 26th October from 5:30pm. Join us in cheering them on as they take on Catalyst Father Matthews in what promises to be a competitive Super League game. Your support as the ‘sixth player’ could make all the difference to Trinity Meteors Super League campaign this year! If you can’t make it on the day, catch all the action live on Basketball Ireland TV.