Battling Neptune lift title for Neville

A TRAUMATIC season for Neptune Basketball team ended on a high note at the weekend when they clinched the ESB Men’s SuperLeague title, making it a great Cork double as Mardyke UCC Demons had earlier won the Cup.

Neptune were devastated by the unexpected death of star player Emmet Neville in mid-season and were further hit when two other members of the squad - Kieran O’Brien and Marcus Walley - were victims of a vicious mugging and others were also on the injured list from time to time.

Somehow coach Martin Ahern, clearly shattered by Neville’s passing, got the show back on the road and recent excellent victories over Notre Dame, Hibernian UCD Marian, BurgerKing, Frosties Tigers and Waterford Crystal edged them clear of pace setters Xx3 Star and when the Belfast team faltered at the final hurdle to Hibernian UCD Marian (101-98) on Saturday night, the League pennant was on its way to Blackpool.

Neptune had just one game remaining - against Irish Travel Partner Saints in Dublin yesterday - and they turned on the style to win a free flowing encounter 122-104. Despite winning the title on Saturday night, they showed no signs of complacency and Kenny Gamble was on fire, finishing on 42 points.

The first quarter was basket for basket with Neptune edging a five point cushion, 34-29. Vincent’s worked hard throughout the second quarter, taking a brief one-point lead, before Neptune regained the advantage 64-60 at the break.

The Cork side jumped further ahead in the third quarter, leading 90-81, and were never threatened afterwards.

Afterwards Coach Ahern was fulsome in his praise for his squad members and he said every one of them contributed in a long season.

“I’m not going to single out anybody” he said “they all showed great character and given the circumstances, the club’s first title success in four seasons and their 11th in all, was so richly deserved”

“Everybody was stunned at Emmet’s death” said Ahern “and I will never forget our first team meeting a few nights after the funeral. The spirit was unreal, the boys just wanted to perform and they showed remarkably character in the games ahead.

“Our first match after Emmet’s death was against Notre Dame and after that superb display, I knew the attitude was right and that we were in with every chance of the league title.

We went on to win for the first time at the University of Limerick venue and also at Waterford. Such commitment against the odds was outstanding and I salute each and every one of the players. They are a great bunch of lads.”

After yesterday’s match Neptune were presented with the League trophy and medals and coach Aherne said that the club will present Emmet’s medal to his family during the week.

In their Saturday night with Star, Marian opened up an early lead, pulling away for an 18-point advantage midway through the second quarter, (56-38), before the Belfast team fought back to narrow the gap to 11 at half time (60-49).

Star fought hard throughout the third period, cutting the game to four points early in the fourth, before Marian pulled away once again. Marian took possession with eight seconds remaining, only to lose the ball to Summersgill with four seconds on the clock.

Maguire attempted a big basket from the arc to level the game, but the ball hit the rim and with that, Star’s fragile grasp of the 2003 Superleague title disappeared.

Elsewhere over the weekend, Mardyke UCC Demons recorded a 105-97 victory over Notre Dame and they will play each other again next weekend at the National Championships in Limerick. BurgerKings victory over Killester places them against Star while Killester play Neptune.