Basketball Round-up: Arguably the most difficult place to win a Superleague match is at the Star of the Sea's home in Jordanstown. If the UCC Demons want to be considered the best team in the country that's what they are going to have to do tomorrow night. Pat Price brought his team up north this morning so they can prepare for their quarter-final showdown.
Nobody on the men's Superleague Board will begrudge Star victory but they will be quietly cheering for the away team. With Neptune faltering on the final weekend, a defeat here for the Demons will see next week's play-off finals take place in Cork (at the Blue Demons Arena) without any local teams involved.
It would be a harsh bout of luck, especially considering no Dublin side made it to the cup final weekend, which were held in Tallaght. Packed gyms are always the preferred option, especially when the television cameras are rolling.
It brings into question the venue selection before all finalists are known.
The other play-off match sees the Killarney Lakers entertain Kenny McFarland and UCD Marian. Considering their form of late you would be loath not to back the Kerry club. The Tralee Tigers and Killester lie in wait at the semi-final stage.
The woman's Superleague semi-finals also take place this weekend. Drimnagh have the unenviable task of travelling to Limerick in search of a victory over the champions elect.
UL's Sinead Leahy is injured although they should have enough ammunition with their internationals Michelle Aspell and Jillian Aherne in tow.
St Paul's have a clean bill of health as they host the Waterford Wildcats.
Waterford's American Nicole Conway finally returns and Grainne Dwyer looks set to recover from illness. However captain Olivia O'Reilly is struggling with a knee problem
Pat Price, who coached UCC Demons to the National Cup title, has been named Philips Manager of the Month for February.
FIXTURES: Saturday - Men's Superleague Quarter-final play-offs: Star of the Sea v UCC Demons, UUJ, 7.15.
Women's Superleague Semi-final play-offs: UL v Drimnagh Dynamos, UL, 7.0; St Paul's v Waterford Wildcats, Presentation, 7.30. Sunday - Men's Superleague quarter-final play-offs: Killarney Lakers v UCD Marian, INEC, 3.0
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