Kelleher gets chance to right cup wrongs
“Our sole focus is Friday night, which is crucial in the league standings and a victory could prove vital for either side,” said Kelleher.
“We have been working all week to improve our performance against Eagles and despite a few injuries, I believe we will get things right this weekend.”
DCU Saints felt the brunt of that cup frustration last weekend, even though Demons were without Niall Murphy, Kyle Hosford, Shane Duggan and Danny O’Mahony — all of whom return for tonight’s game.
While they can expect a hostile reception, Eagles coach Mark Keenan insisted his side will be prepared.
“Demons will be looking to overturn the cup result and we are determined to prove that our victory was well justified,” he said.
Both clubs will be in action twice over the weekend, as Eagles will host DCU Saints at UL Arena tomorrow night and Demons entertain UCD Marian on Sunday.
Saints welcome back Martin Provisors and Emmet Donnelly as coach David Donnelly hopes to rebound from last weekend’s loss to Demons.
However, the big shock was Belfast Star’s 112-109 victory over 11890 Killester in double overtime — a result Killester’s centre Mike Westbrooks wants to put behind him when his side face Bord Gáis Neptune in Clontarf.
“When Darren [O’Neill] took over, we set out our stall and to win a trophy was part of that, we were so unlucky to lose in the cup semi-final against UL Eagles and through inconsistency we have lost games that we were coasting in, so that is something that we must put right,” Westbrooks said.
But Neptune’s Mark Scannell is determined to get the win. “We have 11890 Killester and DCU Saints in Dublin and I think we need at least one win out of those two games to maintain the pressure on UCC Demons in the Southern Conference.”
Women’s National Cup finalists, UL and DCU Mercy, also renew rivalry this weekend.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
