Scannell calls for Friel solution ahead of Lakers tie
The import was banned for Killester’s defeat to Mardyke UCC Demons last weekend, but was in the side for the midweek clash with MDS Star.
And Scannell presumes Friel will be a key part of the Dubliners’ squad which takes on Lakers at the INEC in Killarney tomorrow afternoon (2pm).
Demons beat Killester in Dublin, but Scannell believes the result may have been different had Friel played.
“I feel that if there is something wrong at administration level they should go ahead with the game, let him play and then deduct the points afterwards if that is deemed necessary. I just cannot understand how this situation was allowed to develop as it did.”
And, one must admit, it was somewhat unusual in that Friel played with Lakers, Neptune and BurgerKing before going to Germany and it was only when he came back to Killester that the question of a work permit arose.
He failed to score in the first half against MDS Star on Wednesday night but ended up with 30 points as Killester scored 65 in a flying second-half to clinch top spot in the northern conference.
Scannell and Mark Ingle are friends off the court but the Killester coach will not be taking his foot off the pedal despite them being home and dry.
Scannell has injury concerns over Tyrone Levett, who has an ankle ligament problem.
“We need him big time,” he said. “Every game is like a cup final to us. We have to win them all and now we play the two top teams in the country, Killester this weekend and then Tigers next Wednesday. There is a great buzz around Killarney and it’s great to have those games at home.”
Last weekend’s victory over Killester was very important to Mardyke UCC Demons who entertain St Vincent’s at the Mardyke Arena on Sunday. When they crossed paths there in the cup in December, Demons won despite the fact that some of their stars did not perform.
“We played well defensively and that is the key against Vincent’s,” Demons’ coach, Pat Price pointed out. “They are never going to be left wanting for points because they have too many weapons. Again, on Sunday, we have to think defence. Last time we held them well below their average and we are going to have to do that again. It could be difficult now they have Michael Chadwick. He’s a heck of a player and causes all sorts of problems.”
An unexpected loss to Hibernian UCD Marian last weekend left BurgerKing Coach, Tom Hehir, smarting as he looks for a miracle to put them back in contention.
“We were down 19 points. We made a run in the last quarter and went three points up with eight seconds remaining.
“We should have pressurised the ball straight away but we did not, they got up - a lucky shot and that was it. We never should have allowed that to happen.”
They came back and beat Neptune on Sunday when Cleotis Brown and Jamal Hunter scored 30 points apiece and they will be looking for more of the same when they travel to Belfast this weekend to play MDS Star.
“Nobody likes going up there,” Hehir said. “If we can win our last two games it will be a great end to a season that started badly. If only we had beaten Marian our destiny would be in our own hands.”
Neptune travel to the ESB Arena on Sunday afternoon for what would appear to be a pretty routine assignment against Shamrock Rovers.
Hoops never really got off the ground this season. There is always the possibility they will pull out a big one but Gerry Fitzpatrick will not be taking any chances.
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