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.