Revamped Demons take on Eagles

WITH seven faces missing from last season’s National Cup winning side, UCC Demons travel to Newcastle tomorrow to play the BBL champions, Newcastle Eagles, in a pre-season friendly that should leave coach Pat Price with a good idea of what lies ahead of him before the new season tips off on October 6.

In recent weeks, Price has imported three new players from America to reinforce the new structure that he as built on the firm foundation provided by the likes of experienced guard, Shane Coughlan, 6’5” forward Tim O’Halloran and veteran Niall O’Reilly.

The old format that won national silverware for the past four years collapsed with the departure of Colin O’Reilly, a leading scorer in last season’s SuperLeague; Americans Michael Doles, James Whyte and Gary Johnson; as well as Sean Carroll and Barry Kelleher.

The newcomers are Ahmad Smith, an All-Conference performer for St. Bonaventure in 2005/06 when he averaged 16 points and six rebounds per game; Jamaal Wise, a bruising 6’6” forward who averaged 11 points and six rebounds while at University of Rhode Island; and Chris Butler, a 6’8” forward who starred at St. Thomas Aquinas in New York but came from Ballymena.

Every bit as exciting is the return of Demons’ under-age star player Niall Murphy from America, and joins Carlton Cuffe and third-year UCC star David Murphy to reunite the backbone of the team that captured the 2004 junior national cup while Arturas Gavenia has also graduated from the Demons underage programme.

“It was like tearing the whole thing down to build it back up again,” Price said. “Losing so many guys off such a special team was just unbelievable. I suppose one could say that everything has changed, except the expectations, but there are so many exciting aspects to this rebuilding project I think it is a great situation to be in.

“Niall Murphy’s return is pretty exciting. He has spent two years in the US and he has come back a stronger player. He has made good use of his time there and he has learned a lot. I don’t know what his role is as of now.

“We are lucky to have so much experience in the squad. Apart from Shane Coughlan, Tim O’Halloran and Niall O’Reilly, we have reserve guard Brian O’Neill and 6’10” Michael Plichta, a big favourite with the fans.”

Demons have operated a thriving under-age programme for the past number of years and now they can reap the benefits with all of the younger members of the squad having served their apprenticeship there.

“When I look down the line all those guys moving up have come through the under-age system and come through me,” Pat Price pointed out.

“They may be new to the SuperLeague but they are not new to me and there is a lot of understanding between us. It is definitely a case of re-inventing ourselves but I really like the combination of our new guys with the veterans. We have lots of work to do, especially in terms of getting to grips with a new style of play and new teammates and I believe that the trip to Newcastle will serve us well,” said Price who is now in his seventh season in charge.