Neptune hope to reap benefits of Hines’ sight in clash with students
The big American has been inconsistent since joining the squad, but Nugent praised his 28-point contribution when they rebounded against Limerick last weekend following their crushing defeat by Mardyke UCC Demons the previous Friday.
“That win over Limerick was really a four-pointer for us,” Nugent insisted.
“Now if we can win our next four games, things will be looking good.”
Those games are away to UCD this weekend, a postponed game against Waterford Crystal midweek and then, after the Cup weekend, back-to-back games against Waterford Crystal and Roma St Vincent’s.
“There could be a lot of fallout after the Cup final weekend,” the Neptune coach said.
“So the whole scene could change pretty quickly. Really, what we are looking for is a play-off spot and three of us are in contention for two behind Tralee.”
Limerick coach Tom Hehir felt they would have been in the game only for the fact they had released one of their Americans, Mike Parker, the night before.
Then Matthew Hall picked up a hamstring injury, leaving them with no American for most of the second-half.
Tomorrow night they host high-flying Mardyke UCC Demons but Hehir admits they face a very difficult task.
“The odds are stacked against us,” he said. “We are right back where we started at the beginning of the season with just one American, but maybe there is a plus to all of this.
“In recent weeks guys have been getting more court time and as a result, the practice sessions have become more competitive. Everyone wants to play. Unfortunately we have yet to transfer this onto the court.”
One might expect Demons, the defending champions, to have their mind on the Cup but that is not the case, according to coach Pat Price.
“We will start thinking about the Cup on Sunday,” he insisted.
“Right now we have business to take care of. We are enjoying a nice run, we are steady and consistent, and there are lots of contributions all round. In the last five games we have scored a lot of points and the number of points we allowed is down.”
Merry Monk Ballina will be without star Mayo footballer Ronan McGarrity, who is on duty with the Allstars in Hong Kong.
They have back-to-back games against the two teams ahead of them in the Northern Conference when they play DART Killester and then Roma St Vincent’s. Both teams will have their hands full containing Ballina’s high-scoring American, Elijah Warren, who hit 40 points against UCD last weekend.
But a lot could depend on how veterans Liam McHale and Deora Marsh come through tomorrow night’s game.
Abrakebabra Tigers have a long trip to Belfast but it should earn them two points as MDS Star’s season continues to go from bad to worse.
Tralee will have Micheal Quirke and Kieran Donaghy back while Solomon Sheard, a 6’7” centre, will be making his home debut for Star, who are badly in need of a confidence boost.
Gleneagle Lakers will be using their game against Waterford Crystal as part of their preparations for their Cup semi-final clash with St Vincent’s but this is a game Mark Scannell wants to win.
Michael Evans will be hoping that home advantage can swing it for Crystal, following their narrow loss in Killarney last time.
Vienna Woods Glanmire almost put paid to a winning streak that stretches back over three seasons when it took two late points from Michelle Aspell to win last weekend’s Women’s SuperLeague clash for UL Aughinish.
The Cup semi-final involving the two may not be as clear-cut as many believed.
Seanie O’Leary, the Glanmire coach, will be hoping his girls can carry this form right through to Cup final weekend and they play the former champions, Bausch & Lomb Wildcats in Waterford tomorrow night.
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