Neptune in vital meeting with Saints
For both this is probably one of the most important games of the season, a fact highlighted by Neptune coach, Martin Aherne, who said they have to win the game if they are to avoid any kind of crisis in the new year.
"There is a lot at stake for both of us," he said. "We got off the hook last weekend when we lost to Marian and BurgerKing did us a favour by beating Star in Limerick. But we cannot be depending on other teams to do us favours."
However, he may enter Sunday afternoon's tie (3.15pm) without the services of Stephen McCarthy who has been receiving physio all week on a foot injury sustained in training last weekend.
"He bruised a bone in his heel and he really should not have played last weekend," he said. "He has not been able to put his heel to the ground all week."
The bench has been boosted by the return of Gordon Fitzgerald and Marcus Wally, now recovered from an eye operation, as the Neptune injury crisis comes to an end.
"Saints are a big test for us and I would see our Americans playing a big role in this contest," he said. "We are facing a good all-round side. Like ourselves they have good Irish players. Peter Madsen and Emmet Donnelly are back from scholarships in the US and they know the ropes."
However, Emmet Donnelly could be missing as he and brother, Karl, suffered injuries against Frosties Tigers last weekend. He had two teeth replaced while Karl had stitches in a head wound.
Stephen McGuirk who has flu is also a doubt.
Neptune will play Gleneagle Lakers on January 5 at home and then the onerous task of Sx3 Star who are challenging for the top spot on the SuperLeague table.
The big game tomorrow night will be at the ESB Arena where Mardyke UCC Demons travel to play high-flying Notre Dame in a preview of the first semi-final of the national cup.
"Okay, it is a big game and a lot of people are making a lot out of it," Demons coach Pat Price said. "We are playing each other in the semi-final of the cup but right now this is all about making up some ground in the league.
"This weekend some of the top teams are going to be on three losses so don't write us off for the league at all. We have made a nice accomplishment by making the semi finals of the cup but here in the middle of December we know we have a shot at the league as well."
Notre Dame, after beating old rivals Saints in the quarter-finals of the cup once again upset the form by beating Dart Killester last weekend.
"We have not played them this season but I have scouted them a number of times," coach Price said.
Demons will be missing Tim O'Halloran, who suffered a freak injury at work and is going to be out for some time, and Mark Kennedy who has work commitments but the fact that there is no panic in the ranks speaks volumes.
Frosties Tigers have been dogged by injuries all season and last weekend they struggled against St Vincent's with just six players as Michael Luire was too unwell to travel, Barnaby Craddock and John Teahan were both nursing back injuries, Aidan O'Shea dislocated his finger and Alan Keane was still struggling with a chest injury.
Coach Rus Bradburd received a further blow with the departure of Craddock this week ahead of the meeting with neighbours Gleneagle Lakers.
Lakers were very unfortunate not to pull off a victory over Star last weekend and coach Mark Scannell will be looking for compensation on this occasion.
After last weekend's victory over Star, Coach Tom Hehir will be hoping for more of the same when BurgerKing Limerick take on Dart Killester. The return of Cleotis Brown has given BurgerKing a lift injecting energy into the side although his time was quite limited last Saturday night when he was fouled out in the final quarter.
Currently on four losses, Killester will be under a lot of pressure going into this game when they need the points to remain in contention.
Marian, with Gary Edge on fire, had a shock win over Neptune last weekend and, if they can do the same against Star this weekend they could do Neptune a favour. Star will be without John Leahy who tore a calf muscle in Limerick.
Marissa Galwey will be absent for St Paul's again this weekend when they renew rivalry with Bausch & Lomb Wildcats who will have the same squad that dumped the Killarney side out of the cup in the quarter-final.
The new Mardyke Arena in Cork, home to UCC Demons, has been confirmed as the venue for Ireland's last home game in the current European Championships semi-final round.
That's on January 22 with a tie again Cyprus and, after their 74-67 victory in Limassol a year ago, the Irish team will be hoping for a repeat to round off what has been an exciting campaign. Tip-off will be at 7.30pm.
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