THE 2010 National Cup semi- finals is set to take place at the Neptune Stadium this weekend with a sell-out crowd expected.
On Sunday, the meeting of fierce rivals Neptune and UCC Demons is sure to attract the Cork public after that famous final of 25 years ago provided epic drama at the same venue.
This time around the drama should be equally exciting, particularly given Neptune’s excellent run of just one defeat in nine games (league and cup), while UCC Demons are riding high in the Southern Conference.
“It will take a special performance to defeat the defending league and cup champions this weekend,” said Neptune head coach Pat Price.
“We put up a brave battle in our last encounter with Demons, and no less an effort will be acceptable if we are to be successful on Sunday.”
UCC Demons’ head coach, Luke D’Alessio, has already experienced the rivalry that exists between the two sides and he expects Sunday’s clash to be as thrilling as the side’s league meeting. “Neptune have an excellent team and we will be prepared to bring our best game to the court,” said D’Alessio.
Killester will be desperate to make amends for last year’s National Cup final loss to UCC Demons but they will be wary of a UCD/Marian side, who inflicted a 72-67 defeat on them earlier in the season.
“It’s the biggest game of our season so far,” said Killester head coach Mark Keenan. “We will need to overturn the league defeat earlier in the season and the team realise it’s a one-off chance and we are so determined to atone for the disappointment of last season.”
In the Women’s SuperLeague semi-final, reigning champions Team Montenotte Hotel Cork take on a Meteors side looking forward to their first semi- final since 2001, while DCU Mercy face a tough test against UL basketball club.
DCU Mercy have suffered some heartbreak at this stage of the competition but head coach Mark Ingle will be hoping his side won’t be dwelling on that fact against tough opponents in the shape of UL. “The league game won’t have any reflection on this contest,” said Ingle. “They have had a good season and were unlucky to lose to Montenotte so we know we have a tough game on our hands. ”
