Louisme injury a blow for Neptune

BASKETBALL:BORD GAIS Neptune have suffered a serious injury setback ahead of their Nivea For Men's SuperLeague clash with UL Eagles this weekend.

American forward, 6ft 7in Robinson Louisme suffered an ankle injury in the club’s defeat away to Ulster Elks and is set to be ruled out for up to three weeks.

“The loss of Robinson Louisme to injury is a major worry for the coming weeks,” said Neptune head coach Pat Price. “We will enter the game against Eagles as underdogs but we will play hard. We must limit Scott Kinevane’s influence on the game and take away the three-point looks for Matt Hall and Neil Campbell if we are to be successful.”

The Eagles face a busy weekend with DCU Saints on the horizon a day prior to their meeting with Neptune.

Eagles’ meeting with DCU Saints will mark home debuts for Mark Bernsen (head coach), while Carlton Cuff, Ciaran White and Sean McCarthy will all be making their first home appearance in front of an expectant Limerick crowd.

Moycullen are sweating on the fitness of Eoghan Maxwell as they look for their first win of the season at home to UCC Demons. The game also marks an opportunity for Demons to erase the disappointment of last weekend’s loss away to UCD Marian.

“Moycullen are a very different team to last year,” said Demons’ head coach Paul Kelleher. “They are very physical and have gained some poise from last year and are a very tough opponent now.”

Kevin Foley was the hero for Ulster Elks last weekend but the Dubliner has been ruled out of their tough tie at home to UCD Marian due to personal commitments. UCD also have their injury concerns with Cathal Finn receiving extensive treatment for a hamstring injury, while Dan James is struggling with a groin problem.

Elsewhere, Northern Conference leaders 11890 Killester will be without Kieran O’Brien for their clash against a Belfast Star side still awaiting confirmation on the signing of American Clayton Maurice Longmire.

Meanwhile, in the opening games of the IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague, reigning champions Team Montenotte Hotel Cork travel to Clontarf to face 11890 Killester, while promoted side Black Forge Oblate Dynamos host Meteors in an all Dublin affair.

Team Montenotte Hotel Cork begin life without Niamh Dwyer, Valarie O’Driscoll, Casey Grace, Emily O’Callaghan and Donna Buckley, with the club set to place a big emphasis on their hugely successful underage programme this season.

Fixtures

Saturday, Men's SuperLeague: UL Eagles v DCU Saints, UL Arena, 7.30pm; Moycullen v UCC Demons, Kingfisher Club NUIG, 8pm; Belfast Star v 11890 Killester, De La Salle College, Anderstown, 7.15pm. Women's SuperLeague: 11890 Killester v Team Montenotte Hotel Cork, IWA Clontarf, 6pm; Black Forge Oblate Dynamos v Meteors, Oblate Hall, 7pm. Sunday – Men's SuperLeague: Bord Gais Neptune v UL Eagles, Neptune Stadium, 3pm; Ulster Elks v UCD Marian, Uni of Ulster HPC, 2.30pm.