BASKETBALL: There was another night of drama in Cork at the weekend as rivals Bord Gáis Neptune and UCC Demons were separated by just one basket for a second time this season.
Once again, it was Demons that emerged victorious – 68-66 – after a last second shot attempt by Neptune’s Darren Townes fell wide of the mark. In truth, Demons will feel they were deserving of the win after a strong start saw them hold a 17-point lead at half-time.
Cork derbies are rarely as simply as that, however, and Neptune came out a determined side in the second half, pushing the tempo and converting the game into the up and down fastbreak style that has been the hallmark of the club.
It dragged them back into the game but ultimately proved too little too late. The close score line sets up perfectly the upcoming cup semi-final between these teams on January 11th when a capacity crowd is expected in the Neptune Stadium.
The win took on extra significance for Demons when UL Eagles, the only team above them in the standings, suffered a shock 84-76 loss to Killester in Dublin.
Killester took control of the game from the outset and found themselves with a 30 point advantage.
The defending champions, Eagles were never going to be defeated quite so easily and did mount an admirable comeback late in the fourth quarter.
