Fulton hoping red-hot O’Malley can turn Star’s fortunes around
Star have missed O’Malley’s scoring all season after he picked up a pre-season injury. Star got a bye in the first round of the cup and have been struggling but Coach Fulton is looking forward to tomorrow night’s clash.
“A big improvement is needed, especially in defence,” he insisted. “Both Vincent’s and Killarney scored more than 100 points against us. If we are to get through this game against Hoops, it would give us the perfect boost before we travel to Cork on Sunday to play Demons.”
Both clubs will show a lot of team changes since they met in the first round of the SuperLeague, where Hoops won 71-67. Hoops snapped up Reuben Statum who has been a revelation, averaging 41 ppg and 11 rebounds, while new signing Will McClerkin checked in with 29 points and 14 rebounds last weekend.
While their record in the SuperLeague may not reflect it there is merit in the side and although losing to Merry Monk Ballina last weekend, they looked impressive overall.
Home advantage would normally be a huge plus for Star but even Fulton admitted they’ve been struggling, so Hoops just might pull this off and claim the quarter-final spot against Dublin neighbours, DART Killester.
UCC Demons have been coasting through the season. Apart from their shock defeat at the hands of Limerick Lions in the Cup, they have not put a foot wrong. They’ve had two big wins over Neptune and they’ve beaten Abrakebabra Tigers twice.
So there is nothing to indicate that their SuperLeague record is under any threat from Star at The Mardyke Arena on Sunday afternoon. Pat Price has so much talent at his disposal that he could put out two winning teams on a given day.
DART Killester, who played Shamrock Rovers Hoops last night had a surprise win over UCD when they played with one Serbian but they now have another one in Milos Gagovic, and Coach Saisa Punosevac is excited about the 25-year-old 6’6” shooting guard. He will face a tough assignment tomorrow night when they play host to Cup Champions Abrakebabra Tigers. Tigers are coming off back to back losses to UCC Demons and Limerick Lions and will be in no mood for pleasantries.
The other Kerry team, Gleneagle Lakers, travel to Dublin tomorrow for an important clash against UCD, who have lost their last three games.
Neptune have two games this weekend as they strive to get back on track after their cup defeat by Demons. They play Merry Monk Ballina at Neptune Stadium tomorrow night and that game alone should get them focused. Ballina have signed point guard Patrick Pope who played with Demons last year and will be well known to Neptune.
Neptune travel to Limerick for the second time this season on Sunday afternoon when they hope to turn around the 98-80 defeat they suffered on their last visit.
In the Women’s Superleague, Sean O’Regan will come up against his former team when Bausch & Lomb Wildcats travel to Cork tomorrow night to play Vienna Woods Glanmire. Glanmire Coach, Mark Scannell, has signed a new American, Karen Habrukowich from the University of Pennsylvania in place of Leanne Moore, who has returned to the States after a serious knee injury.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
