BASKETBALL:THE FIERCE Leeside rivalry between Neptune and UCC Demons is set for its latest instalment in the Nivea For Men's SuperLeague tomorrow night.
The clash takes on even greater significance as the race for second place in the Southern Conference gathers momentum.
Demons currently occupy second place, a position which would ensure home advantage in the play-offs, but a win for third- placed Neptune would reduce that gap to just two points.
“We are excited about being on our home floor against Demons,” said Neptune coach Pat Price. “We will need to play with much more energy, enthusiasm and urgency this weekend in order to keep up with the favourites. We have to put a value on the basketball. We have to demand more from ourselves, and we have to give nothing less than 100 per cent Saturday night on our home court.”
Demons got back to winning ways in their last outing, beating Belfast Star 98-88, but their hopes could by hampered by injury worries to Danny Mahony, Niall Murphy and Daniel O’Sullivan.
“We will need to overcome this and focus on the task at hand as a win would secure home court advantage for the play-offs,” said Demons coach Paul Kelleher. “Neptune have been building up some momentum since the last Derby game and have been keeping teams below their average scoring because of their defence.”
The big clash in the Northern Conference sees leaders Killester host Ulster Elks. The Dublin side’s win over UCD Marian last Sunday almost assures them the conference but they are unlikely to ease up against Ulster. Elks.
“We must treat every game as a league final from here on in,” said coach Mark Keenan. “We must contain Kevin Foley, De La Cruz and Barry Drumm in order to win.”
Elsewhere, DCU will be expected to maintain their excellent start to 2011 at home to Moycullen, while Belfast Star will require a win at the expense of UCD Marian if they are to maintain their play-off hopes.
In the Irish Sport.TV Women’s SuperLeague, UL entertain Team Montenotte Hotel Cork in a top of the table clash, while cup champions DCU Mercy face Waterford Wildcats.
Montenotte are in the unusual position of back to back defeats and their trip to high flying UL won’t be helped by the absence of the influential Marie Breen through injury.
SATURDAY
Men’s SuperLeague: Neptune v UCC Demons, Neptune Stadium, 7pm; Belfast Star v UCD Marian, De La Salle College, Anderstown, 7.15; Killester v Ulster Elks, IWA Clontarf, 8pm. Men’s Division One: Neptune v Team Garvey’s St Mary’s, Neptune Stadium, 4.30; Titans v Ballina, Renmore Community Centre, 7pm; Waterford v Team Meadowlands St Brendan’s, Tralee, WIT Sports Hall, 7.30; Tolka Rovers v Blue Demons, Tolka Rovers SC, 8pm; Portlaoise v Maree, St Mary’s Sports Hall, 8pm.
Women’s SuperLeague: Black Forge Oblate Dynamos v Killester, Oblate Hall, 7pm; UL v Team Montonette Hotel Cork, UL Arena, 7.30.
Womens Division One: UL v Foireann na Gaillimhe, UL Arena, 5pm; Team Tom McCarthy’s St Mary’s v Liffey Celtics, Castleisland Community Centre, 7.45.
SUNDAY
Mens SuperLeague: DCU Saints v Moycullen, DCU SC, 4pm.
Womens SuperLeague: DCU Mercy v Waterford Wildcats, DCU SC, 2pm. Women’s Division One: Brunell v Meteors, Parochial Hall, 2.45.
