Derby worry for Neptune
The Neptune captain has a 50/50 chance of starting a vital game as both teams bid to make the play-off stages of the competition.
“This is a must-win game for both of us,” Ponosevac insisted. “If we lose, it will be difficult and if Demons lose they could have a problem.”
When they met in the first game of the SuperLeague, Neptune produced a sensational result. Twelve months earlier they had taken their first hammering of what turned out to be a disastrous season.
“That was the worst game of the season for UCC,” Ponosevac said. “This will be a very different situation. They have changed an American player since then and it appears to be working for them.
“But there is a lot of passion in those derby games. Our players have been through that and I think they were somewhat surprised by the passion in that game. UCC’s new player must experience that.”
UCC Demons’ coach Pat Price said: “I may sound like a broken record but I keep telling the guys that every game we play is an important game but there is so much rivalry between the clubs that passion becomes a factor,” he said.
Shane Coughlan, their cup specialist, got court time in their cup game last weekend and that heralded the return of all their injured players who threatened to outnumber those fit and available at one point.
Price has also made an interesting signing in Benito Flores who made a spectacular debut against Mustang Sally’s a couple of weeks ago.
Price said: “He has skill, he has intelligence and, most importantly, he was able to fit into the team straight away because he is a good team person.”
Star began their weekend against Marian last night and will entertain Merry Monk Ballina tomorrow night at Jordanstown before they take on Hoops next Wednesday in the last game before Christmas.
UCD Marian will play their second home game in three days when they host St Vincent’s tomorrow night at the UCD Sports Centre.
St Vincent’s will be hoping to bring the ongoing saga of Jermiane Turner’s proposed move back to his former club to a satisfying conclusion in time for this weekend’s tussle. He will be an important addition to the Glasnevin outfit, who look to claim a play-off berth in order to defend their crown as SuperLeague champions.
DART Killester are looking to bounce back from last weekend’s National Cup exit at the hands of Mustang Sally’s St Paul’s this weekend as they battle it out with Hoops to close the gap at the top of the Northern Conference.
Limerick Lions have Tralee Tigers as their visitors on Sunday at 3.30pm in UL as they continue to enjoy a season of mixed fortunes. Having exited the cup last weekend they will want to finish the year with a home win. Opponents Tralee will make it a very difficult task for Limerick, however.
In the Women’s SuperLeague, the game of the weekend will see DART Killester come face to face with DCU Mercy at 6pm at the IWA Clontarf.
Killester will be without Carmel Kissane, who picked up an injury early in the first quarter against Glanmire. Otherwise Mark Grennell has a full squad for the visit of DCU Mercy. “We really didn’t perform on Saturday, the loss of Carmel early on was a huge one but hopefully we can turn it around this weekend,” said Grennell.
In the only other game, Meteors travel to Waterford to take on Bausch and Lomb Wildcats with third place up for grabs.
The Wildcats will be looking to recover from their last league outing, which resulted in a crushing defeat at the hands of UL Aughinish and will look to get their campaign back on track. Meteors will look to overcome last weekend’s cup exit at the hands of DCU Mercy as to edge up the SuperLeague table.
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