Former star McCarthy takes over at Neptune

JUST a few years after retiring, former international Stephen McCarthy returns to basketball’s SuperLeague as coach to his club Neptune, who parted company with Dan Mobbs after a drubbing by DART Killester in the cup.

They moved quickly yesterday to name one of their most illustrious players as his replacement in advance of next weekend’s crucial NIVEA for MEN SuperLeague clash with Merry Monk Ballina in Blackpool.

It will be a baptism of fire for the new coach but he is all set to face the challenge head on. As a player he captained Neptune to two SuperLeague titles, represented his country and played pro basketball with the Manchester Giants.

He was forced into retirement after a lengthy struggle with a calf muscle injury followed by an ankle injury. But he maintained interest at the highest level as coach to the U20 teams and last season was assistant to SuperLeague coach, Saisa Punosevac, who moved on to coach the Irish women.

“I am looking forward to the new challenge,” he said yesterday. “I have been looking at what was happening and wondering if I could do a better job. And, right now, we have an exciting squad of young players. Apart from Gordon Fitzgerald the average age is 22/23 and I feel they have potential.”