Cork derby tops the bill

BASKETBALL: One of the oldest local rivalries in the ESB Superleague is renewed tonight with the Cork derby between Neptune and UCC Demons. Neptune, the league leaders, will start as marginal favourites on the back of their recent string of victories, and have the additional advantage of the home court.

In fact the Demons were lucky to come home as winners in last weekend's clash against Tralee Tigers, while Neptune defeated Notre Dame by 15 points in the ESB Arena - a feat which few teams will manage to this year.

Neptune also hope that Emmett Neville, who missed last weekend's game, will be fit. The Demons, meanwhile, have parted company with DeWaune Wesley by mutual consent, and he has been replaced by Bill Romano, the 6ft 8in player formerly of Quinnipiac, the US division one university.

The unplanned change puts Demons coach Pat Price under pressure ahead of the Neptune clash, with Romano due to arrive into Ireland only hours before tip-off. Yet the absence of a big inside player has been a cause of concern for Demons management since the beginning of the season and the introduction of Romano should balance the team.

Elsewhere, the Killarney Lakers have also been making changes after four successive league defeats. Coach Billy Hungrecker returned to the US after failing to make an impact, with former Neptune player Mark Scannell appointed as his replacement.

Recent signing Otis Duffy has also left the club, another notable loss, and Scannell has decided to release Billy Gilligan and replace him with Tyrone Levitts, who is reported to be an exciting prospect.

The depth of the Kerry club will certainly be tested tomorrow when they travel to Dublin to meet UCD Marian. After a superb start to the season, Marian are coming off two consecutive defeats but have a full squad and will be eager to return to winning ways.

The headline game in the women's Superleague is in Waterford, with the Wildcats against main rivals University of Limerick. The teams are level on the league table, and with the Wildcats welcoming back Orla Dempsey from injury the home side will start as marginal favourites.

FIXTURES: Men's Superleague - Tonight: Neptune v UCC Demons, 8.0. Tomorrow: UCD Marian v Killarney Lakers, 7.10; Star of the Sea v Notre Dame, 7.15; Tralee Tigers v Tolka Rovers, 8.0; Killester v Waterford Crystal, 8.0. Sunday: ITP Saints v Limerick, 3.30. Women's Superleague - Tomorrow: Meteors v Glanmire, 6.45; Wildcats v University of Limerick, 7.0; Drimnagh v Killester, 7.0; Tipperary Talons v St Paul's, 8.30.