Killester trip down south to shake up standings

Brendan Mooney

Lions battling for the two play-off places behind conference leaders Abrakebabra Tigers.

Demons sent out a message to their rivals last Saturday, beating Tigers by 17 points a week after the Tralee side ended their three-in-a-row Cup dreams.

"It was a clear indication that we have full intentions of going after the league," insisted coach Pat Price.

"The league is there for the winning and we just have to keep our noses clean and take it one game at a time."

The difference between the sides last Saturday night in Tralee was the performance of Glen Worley who was disappointing in the cup semi-final.

Price said: "He was challenged by the media, by the fans, by me even by his own team mates no individual player took so much heat in a week. For a guy to respond in the way he did was amazing. He showed courage and class, he showed the type of player he is."

They face another big game at the Mardyke Arena on Sunday when Killester, whether they win or lose against Neptune tomorrow night, will prove formidable opposition.

Demons could be without Patrick Pope, who is nursing an ankle injury.

Price said: "We need to have everyone in good shape for the end-of-season games. At the weekend we had the best game of the year and on Monday night we had our best practice of the year."

Neptune played what many considered their best game of the year on Sunday but they still lost to Roma St Vincent's.

"We had a good win in Waterford and played tremendous stuff against St Vincent's," coach Jim Nugent said.

"We had people stepping up everywhere. Michael McGinn had trouble with his back but played 44 minutes and Ricardo (Leonard) played 44 minutes. Marcus Walley, Declan Kelly, William O'Regan all played outstanding stuff in the absence of Gordon Fitzgerald and Stephen McCarthy."

McCarthy is battling with a calf muscle injury while Ronnie Clarke picked up an ankle injury that will keep him out for two weeks.

Nugent will be happy he secured a replacement, 6'6" forward Mark Green of Knoxville College.

"We are hoping to bring in a replacement but we have to wait for a final assessment," Nugent said.

"We play Limerick next weekend and that would probably be a more important game for us as regards making it to the play-off stages. We have played twice with one win apiece so another victory would be decisive if we were to end up level."

Tomorrow night, Limerick play Waterford Crystal at the Waterford IT, while Abrakebabra Tigers are at home to UCD. Gleneagle Lakers host MDS Star on Sunday.