BASKETBALL:UCC DEMONS will be hoping their recent excellent form will continue as they prepare to welcome reigning Nivea For Men's SuperLeague champions 11890 Killester to the Mardyke Arena on Sunday.
UCC ended 2011 with an emphatic 99-64 derby success over fierce rivals Bord Gáis Neptune and started the new year with an equally impressive 88-65 win against Moycullen.
Their meeting with Killester marks the start of a massive week for UCC as they also face Neptune in a mouth-watering National Cup semi-final on Sunday week.
“After showing signs of progress in recent weeks, we have another massive test against a very in-form Killester team that are proving very hard to handle,” said UCC coach Paul Kelleher. “I said before the season they would still be very much in contention for all honours and that has been proved right.
“They are very athletic, strong and are very well organised and Darren O’Neill has really got them playing hard. If we want to get the result we are looking for, we will have to start strong and focused like we have in recent games and stay structured. We have got a lot from our squad in recent games, and this is a must win again against an aggressive Killester team.”
Tomorrow, UCD Marian and Belfast Star will be desperate to get their season going when the two sides clash, while Southern Conference duo Moycullen and UL Eagles are also set to meet.
On Sunday, UCD Marian and Belfast Star face their second game in as many days when they face DCU Saints and Bord Gáis Neptune respectively.
In the Nivea Women’s SuperLeague tomorrow, leaders UL face a tricky assignment away to Waterford Wildcats, while Ulster Rockets will be looking to cause a surprise by beating Team Montenotte Hotel. On Sunday, DCU Mercy will meet Liffey Celtics, while Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell and Meteors face 11890 Killester and Oblate Dynamos respectively.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Saturday– Men's SuperLeague: Moycullen v UL Eagles, NUIG Kingfisher, 4pm; UCD Marian v Belfast Star, UCD Sports Centre, 7.10. Women's SuperLeague: Waterford Wildcats v UL, Mercy Gym, 5pm; Ulster Rockets v Team Montenotte Hotel, DLS Andersonstown, 6.30.
Sunday– Men's SuperLeague: UCC Demons v 11890 Killester, Mardyke Arena, 3.15; UCD Marian v DCU Saints, UCD Sports Centre, 3.10; Belfast Star v Bord Gáis Neptune, DLS Andersonstown, 3.30. Women's SuperLeague: Singleton's SuperValu Brunell v 11890 Killester, Parochial Hall, 2.45; Meteors v Oblate Dynamos, Coláiste Íosagáin, 3pm; DCU Mercy v Liffey Celtics, DCU Sports Complex, 3.30.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/irishtimes/YVIRIOZQ35EWRPZXR27KGMO6YU.png)