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Demons don't expect a hangover facing into local derby

BASKETBALL ROUND-UP: DEMONS HEAD Coach, Paul Kelleher, does not believe the devastating nature of their abandonment to 11890…

Fri Oct 14 2011 - 01:00

BASKETBALL ROUND-UP:DEMONS HEAD Coach, Paul Kelleher, does not believe the devastating nature of their abandonment to 11890 Killester will have a bearing on their mouth-watering derby clash with Bord Gáis Neptune tonight.

Demons were coasting to their second win of the season with six minutes remaining of their last outing against 11890 Killester before condensation forced the referee to abandon the game and award the points to the Dubliners.

The outcome proved particularly hard to swallow for Kelleher, with his side leading 60-46, but he doesn’t believe it will affect preparations for the short trip to the daunting Neptune Stadium.

“I think we can recover straightaway,” said Kelleher.

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“I don’t expect any hangovers. In my mind, we won the game. We are taking this like we had two wins.

“We played exceptionally well and we were only a few minutes away from a major scalp. They have won the league in 2011 and 2010 so we have to take a lot of positives from the game despite the way the game ended.”

Demons will be without Niall O’Reilly, while Neptune’s recently-appointed head coach Mark Scannell admits this game was one of the reasons he left Team Montenotte Hotel to join the SuperLeague giants.

“This is one of the biggest games on the calendar and it was definitely a carrot that helped in my decision to join the club,” said Scannell.

On Saturday, Belfast Star and UCD Marian will be looking for their first win of the season when the two sides meet, while 11890 Killester and Moycullen entertain UL Eagles and DCU Saints respectively.

In the Nivea Women’s SuperLeague, holders UL will be looking to maintain their perfect start away to 11890 Killester on Saturday, while Ulster Rockets meet Waterford Wildcats and Oblate Dynamos take on Liffey Celtics on the same night.

Waterford Wildcats have suffered a huge blow with the news that Ireland international Kate Maher will miss the rest of the season after her decision to relocate to Amsterdam.

On Sunday, Meteors will meet a daunting challenge in the shape of unbeaten DCU Mercy and Team Montenotte Hotel clash with Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

TODAY

Men’s SuperLeague: Bord Gáis Neptune v UCC Demons, Neptune Stadium, 8pm.

TOMORROW

Men’s SuperLeague: Moycullen v DCU Saints, NUIG Galway, 4pm. 11890 Killester v UL Eagles, IWA Clontarf, 8pm. Belfast Star v UCD Marian, De La Salle, 8.30pm. Women’s SuperLeague: 11890 Killester v UL Basketball Club, IWA Clontarf, 6pm. Ulster Rockets v Waterford Wildcats, De La Salle, 6.30pm. Oblate Dynamos v Liffey Celtics, Oblate Hall, Inchicore, 7pm.

SUNDAY

Women’s SuperLeague: Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell v Team Montenotte Hotel Cork, Parochial Hall, 2.45pm. Meteors V DCU Mercy, Colaiste Íosagáin, 3pm.