Neptune out to catch Demons on rebound in pre-season clash

THIS weekend Neptune stage their pre-season basketball tournament - an event that attracts a huge interest from all over the country.

This year, however, Mardyke UCC Demons and the hosts, will command the limelight.

Pat Price has introduced a number of new faces at The Mardyke Arena where three new Americans, two 6’ 7” forwards Dave Holmes and Glen Worley, and a 6’ 8” centre, Damian Matacz, should set the floor alight over the coming season.

But it will be the familiar faces that will provide the excitement at Neptune Stadium where Jim Nugent returns as coach with Tom O’Sullivan as his assistant and they put their squad on parade last night when they played London Towers in a pre-season friendly.

Jim Nugent, who won every available honour as a player, stepped down as coach to Neptune nine years ago after taking them to two National League titles and there was jubilation in the club when he indicated he was ready to take over again.

He has retained last year’s Americans, Charron Watson and Kenny Gamble and will be parading Laverne Evans and Ricardo Leonard on trial over the coming days.

He has also signed two young Europeans, Carlo Ferrari from Italy, who is just turned 21, and 24 year old Donatas Pevkys from Lithuania.

Last season’s loss to Demons in the Cup final proved a bitter pill to swallow and nobody was surprised when the squad returned intact for training back in June.

That means that Stephen McCarthy, Gordon Fitzgerald and Marcus Wally, are all back along with Kevin Reddy; Adrian Mullins is also back after a hip injury which kept him out for two years.

Another returning is Declan Kelly, who is back from the US where he was working.

Mardyke UCC Demons go into the new season on the back of their second successive cup victory and Pat Price admitted that he is looking forward to it.

New faces are always going to bring excitement into the game and Dave Holmes in particular is exciting as he was at the heart and soul of the resurgence of the Manhattan basketball programme.

“He is a warrior and will give our front line toughness - scoring and rebounding,” the Demons’ coach insisted.

“We still have a long way to go as regards fitness and getting the team to gel, our Bosman won’t be in until Friday and we will probably give him a run around on Sunday.

Neptune and Mardyke UCC Demons will open the tournament at 8 p.m. tomorrow and the action will continue throughout the weekend.

Tonight: Neptune v Mardyke UCC Demons 8 p.m.

Tomorrow: Burger King Limerick v Marian, 11 a.m.; Mardyke UCC Demons v Killarney 12.35 p.m.; Neptune v Limerick 2.15 p.m.; Maqrian v Killarney 5 p.m.Mardyke UCC Demons v Limerick, 6.35 p.m.; Neptune v Marian, 8.15 p.m.

Sunday: Limerick v Killarney 11 a.m.; Mardyke UCC Demons v Marian 12.30 p.m.; Neptune v Killarney 2 p.m.