Demons expecting backlash from new Neptune line-up

WHEN they met in the very first SuperLeague game of the season, UCC Demons trounced neighbours Neptune by a whopping 48 points.

As derby defeats go, it was a disaster for Neptune, but they’ve dusted themselves down and Demons are expecting a backlash in tonight’s Men’s SuperLeague Cup second round clash at The Mardyke Arena (8.15pm).

“We have not been reflecting on that game at all because I would expect a different game tonight from a different team,” Demons’ coach Pat Price warned.

“We have little references back to that first game of the season. They (Neptune) have changed their team around. They have two new import players and a different coach - you are talking about a different team. Whether or not they have turned the corner is not for me to say.

“We are going to be focused on ourselves and that’s how it has been in the lead up to the game. I have been asking these guys when was the last time they had a play-off game in November. That is virtually what this game is. You lose it and you are out of the cup.”

Neptune, smarting from that first night of humiliation, have adopted a low key approach to the game but they have had some spectacular practice sessions under new coach Ozell Wells and go into the game on the back of two victories.

That’s in contrast to the lead up to the “other game” which was fraught with disaster and insecurity. They had been training under new coach, Cristiano Sias, since the first week in August but they parted company a week before the game. Noel Allen was eventually asked to take control and he had just one session with the team before the game. He remembers it too well.

“We lost our head coach and two applicants for the position changed their minds midweek so there was nobody to coach the team. I stepped in, we had just one session together and the rest is history,” he said.

And that’s the way they would like to keep it - history. “It was just one of those freak results. It is true we have had sweeping changes. We have two new Americans and they have made a huge difference. Ozell Wells has introduced a stability in the team - a game plan and a pattern which they have bought into. We have a settled team now,” said Allen.

“I would say expect a different game and a different team this time. The last night Demons were far, far superior but we contributed to our own downfall. The lads are just bursting to prove a point. They will be playing on pride and passion.”

Pat Price will decide later today if he will include returning captain Niall O’Reilly, but he is not short on artillery in his arsenal.

“We have to look at this in the long term. We won’t play Niall unless we feel he is capable of contributing. We have a strong bench and in our six games thus far our bench substitutes have outscored their opponents by a staggering 214-42,” said Price.

Ballina fans have an action-packed weekend ahead of them as the Monks have two home games in the NIVEA for MEN SuperLeague. They will have speedy point guard Patrick Pope in the line-up when they host Shamrock Rovers Hoops tomorrow night, having released Andrew Pereira.

They have also signed 6’9” Will McClerkin from Marist College and their new American line up will also be in action when they play Roma St Vincent’s for the third time this season on Sunday.

St. Vincent’s also have a second game against MDS Star tonight while Star will play host to Gleneagle Lakers tomorrow night.

Vienna Woods Glanmire are shaping up well in the women’s Superleague this season and they will host Carna Transport Coolock this weekend. The respective coaches, Mark Ingle and Mark Scannell, are close friends.

Glanmire’s American, Leanne Moore, is returning to home after suffering a serious knee injury and will miss the remainder of the season.