Millard set for Neptune debut
While the points are important even at this early stage in the season the game took on a new importance this week when coach Stephen McCarthy signed Ed Millard as replacement for Tristan Parham, who has returned to the US.
“Tristan has been injured since he arrived in Cork and was on the physio table for three weeks,” coach McCarthy said. “He decided last week that he wanted to go home for treatment.”
On the advice of US coach Scott McMillan, who was responsible for the likes of Dajan Smith and Justin Wingard in the past, he signed Millard, a 6’6” student, directly out of Lynn University in Florida.
“He practised with us last night and we were very happy with what we saw,” McCarthy said. “It is going to be something of a baptism of fire for him because we travel to Belfast at the weekend and then we have Tralee Tigers at Neptune on Wednesday (8pm).”
McCarthy made no secret of the fact that he was disappointed with the drubbing they took from Demons in the derby game a couple of weeks back.
“We were not at the races,” he said. “We have to pick ourselves up and get on with it and I think our new signing will help us do that.”
UCC Demons will be bidding to make it four wins from four when they host Hoops at The Mardyke Arena on Sunday.
Demons fought back to overcome a battling DCU Saints in a thriller last weekend and coach Douglas Leichner is hoping for more of the same.
“Hoops have the best two-man pick and roll combination in the SuperLeague,” he said. “We must be able to defend this play.
“We can’t afford to relax defensively against the Hoops potent offence. Collectively, we must emphasise team defence and rebounding against Hoops.”
DART Killester also had to mount a serious comeback at home to Limerick last weekend and had to do so without the services of Paddy Kelly, who was sent off in the third quarter.
Last season’s National Cup final MVP, Kelly is expected to feature this weekend for the trip to Ulster Elks. The Northsiders will be without Kieran O’Brien, who is injured.
DART head coach, Mark Keenan, is hoping to add two more wins to their tally this weekend, with a trip to DCU Saints also on the horizon on Monday.
“We have a big weekend ahead of us,” said Keenan. “If we can get two more wins under our belt, it will be great to meet the Demons 5-0.”
Abrakebabra Tigers make a return to action after a turbulent week due to the death of Donal O’Brien, brother of club chairman, Terry, and face a resurgent DCU Saints tomorrow before making the trip to UL on Monday to face Limerick Lions.
They will be without Kieran Donaghy, who is on International Rules duty, and Micheál Quirke who has county championship commitments.
Limerick Lions almost stunned DART last weekend and head coach Sasa Punosevac has no injury worries ahead of their back-to-back games with UCD/Marian and Tigers.
Basketball Ireland’s Women’s SuperLeague sees reigning champions Team Montenotte Hotel Cork up against fellow bright starters UL Aughinish on Monday in what is expected to be the game of the weekend.
Mark Ingle’s DCU Mercy have recorded two wins out of two and will be favourites to extend their run at home to Meteors, while Tolka Rovers will be looking to follow on from their first win in 10 months (away to DART Killester last weekend) when they take on Waterford Wildcats.
Wildcats have been boosted with the signing of Melanie Thomas from University of Connecticut.
League newcomers LeisureWorld Churchfield Iona could secure their first win of the season at home to DART Killester tomorrow evening.
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