Tiger boss relies on fighting Irish to banish Demons after Bush withdrawal
The Cup champions are pursuing a replacement for Eric Bush before their next title defence - once more against Demons - in Tralee the following weekend.
They released Dave Walker after the UCD game, and now Bush, at a critical stage in their season.
“It is not the ideal situation with the two games against Demons looming,” Quirke admitted.
“But Eric was not settled so we will have to get somebody quickly. Ideally we would need somebody for the weekend but that is not now possible.
“However, we would hope to have somebody by Monday in time for a few practice sessions. We will be depending on our Irish players this weekend but then that might not be a bad thing.
“We have played Demons twice and the lads know each other very well. Micheál Quirke and Kieran Donaghy are in very good form and we are lucky to be injury free.”
Tim O’Halloran is doubtful for Demons with an ankle injury but Pat Price will have speedy shooter Brian O’Neill back after a five-week absence following surgery.
James Whyte is in sparkling form, while Colin O’Reilly’s consistency and David Murphy’s speed from the point position have been a revelation.
Limerick Lions face an intriguing clash with Gleneagle Lakers tomorrow evening. When they met on the first weekend of the season Tom Hehir’s side won 94-105 but Lakers are on the up, highlighted by a big win over UCD last weekend.
MDS Star host UCD minus the services of Scott Summersgill, who is expected to be out for three weeks after pulling ligaments in his knee.
However, Adrian Fulton, who retired at the start of the season, is making a gradual comeback and was instrumental in bagging Stars a Cup quarter-final place.
UCD have gone off the boil, having lost their last four League games.
Captain Barry Glover and forward Kevin Foley missed out last weekend, but are expected to have recovered from flu and injury in time for this clash. With the return of Ian O’Boyle, the team will play at full strength for the first time since the opening win against Roma St Vincent’s.
Peugeot Meteors make the trip to Cork to face table toppers Vienna Woods Glanmire. Amanda O’Regan could miss the rest of the season as her injury flared up again during last weekend’s clash against Waterford.
On Sunday, UL Aughinish travel to Oblate Dynamos in a dress rehearsal for Sunday week’s Cup quarter-final.
UL are without the services of an American but all Irish players are fully fit - Michelle Aspell returns after missing last week’s game due to illness.
In the Junior Cup, Shamrock Rovers Hoops play their quarter-final against Neptune on Sunday at 3.30pm, while Clondalkin Lakers take on Ballina at 2.45pm.
* Following a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, DART Killester head coach Sasa Punosevac received a two-game ban, taking effect from today.
The hearing resulted from an incident between Sasa and a match official following their overtime defeat against Gleneagle Lakers on November 5.
