Demons ready for Tigers challenge
The confidence-injection of their Cup victory over UCD Marian helped offset the loss of Shane Coughlan to injury (sidelined until late December), and boosted the self belief of young guns like Niall Murphy and Carlton Cuffe, who have stepped into prominent roles and have not disappointed. Combined with strong post play by Michael Plichta, the Cork side are looking for the same momentum that inspired last year’s successful campaign.
Demons will take on Tigers tonight at the Mardyke Arena (8:15). The Tigers were very impressive in their Cup win over Killarney last weekend, and Demons Coach Pat Price knows his side face a major challenge: “Tralee has strength in every area of the court, and Wilder Auguste is a very imposing presence for them,” said Price.
Despite losing Justin Wingard (stress fracture in his leg) and Ger Noonan (finger) to short term injuries, Mustang Sally’s are quite competitive and will be looking to take advantage of a Demons side playing their second game in 24 hours. However, to add to Mustangs woes, Eoin O’Brien is struggling with a hand injury and is considered doubtful for tomorrow night. Antonio Cool and Matt Hilleary have had a strong start to the year and are still tough to beat on their home court (8.15pm). This one will be preceded by Mustang Sallys ladies v Tipperary Knights in the National League Division One at 6pm.
Mark Keenan’s DART Killester will be hoping to bounce back after their Cup loss to HOOPS when they take on Belfast Star tomorrow at the IWA Clontarf (7.30).
Keenan must plan without the injured Ed Randolph who picked up a knee injury in the Cup game. The coach hopes to have his new American in tomorrow. Craig Walls who played at the University of New Hampshire is waiting on his passport and is scheduled to leave the US on Friday. Walls has been one of the stars at UNH and the club is looking forward to him coming in as a replacement for the departed John DeGroat.
St. Vincent’s face a gruelling trip to Ballina to play Team Merry Monk. Five St. Vincent’s players including Kenny Gamble, Mike Trimmer and Dave Donnelly missed training earlier in the week as a flu bug spread through the camp. However, all except Gamble returned to training last night but the Saints are optimistic that they will have a full strength squad to play the side that beat them three times last season.
Team Merrymonk face a tough weekend of their own as they also play Hoops on Bank Holiday Monday at the NBA at 7pm. Ronan McGarrity shipped a hip injury in last week’s cup defeat to Limerick Lions but should return to complete a full strength squad. The Mayo side has never won a weekend double header but both St. Vincent’s and Hoops will need to look out as players like Chris Smith have been in impressive form this term.
In the Women’s SuperLeague, UL Aughinish will take on fierce rivals Meteors at Naomh Olaf tomorrow (6.45). In the two sides previous meeting UL came out with a slender one-point victory at a pre-season tournament. Meteors will be hoping to make use of American Leah Truncale whose versatility could trouble UL inside and packs an accurate eye for the net from the outside.
American Courtney McDaniel has rejoined UL after a six-month stint at the Limerick side last year and will make her debut tomorrow, but UL will be without Nessa O’Keeffe due to work commitments with Eileen Lyons, Fiona Scally and Lisa Palmer stepping into the frame. UL have not played in three weeks and will be hoping that Meteors wont catch them cold.
In the final game of the weekend Bausch and Lomb Wildcats will host Team Montenotte Hotel Cork at the Mercy Gym (7.30, tomorrow). The Cork ladies are yet to win this season and will be hoping to get something quick to kick-start their season. Wildcats are currently sitting pretty at the top of the table and will be looking to keep pushing ahead of the rest of the pack.
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