Neptune on guard as former star O’Brien returns
But he won’t be getting any favours from his old club.
Although he is now starring for Killester, O’Brien learned his basketball at Noel Allen’s nursery and, while he lives and works in Dublin, he returned to Neptune for last season but found the round trip too much and is now back playing for Killester.
After a prolonged knee injury, he returned last weekend to star in their win over Belfast Star and Neptune coach Stephen McCarthy is expecting another big game from him this weekend.
“He is a superb player and of course we would like to have someone of his class but his work does not permit that,” said McCarthy.
“But on Saturday night he will be with the enemy.”
After three big wins on the trot — they are now 4 and 3 — Neptune’s season has turned around dramatically.
“This is a huge game for us,” McCarthy insisted. “To win this would be a big result because Killester are unbeaten in their nine games to date and are the best team in the SuperLeague right now.’’
“They have strong Irish players and two good Americans but I don’t think they are unbeatable.’’
DART Killester’s run of nine wins has been down in no small part to the performances of 6’7 Jim Grabowski, a former star with Southwest Baptist in the NCAA 2.
“It’s another tough game on the road,” said Grabowski. “They are on a good run, including a massive win away to Hoops so it could well be a tricky test.’’
UCD/Marian will be without Peter Finn for their clash with UCC Demons on Sunday, while Niall Murphy is a doubt for the Cork giants.
Abrakebabra Tigers will definitely be without Michael Quirke but are likely to have Kieran Donaghy back as they look to inflict further woe on Ulster Elks.
Limerick Lions will be keen to get their season back on track when they make the long journey to Belfast Star tomorrow evening.
Limerick had a free weekend after losing the previous week to DCU Vincents in the national cup and coach Sasa Punosevac will be keen to get back on court. However, he is very aware of how tough the game will be against Star.
“We will need to play competitively for 40 minutes to be in with any chance of getting a result,” he said.
In Basketball Ireland’s Women’s SuperLeague, Team Montenotte Hotel Cork host DCU Mercy in a repeat of last season’s league final which they won as part of their treble.
Mercy Coach Mark Ingle will face up to his old friend and adversary Mark Scannell once again and insists it will be a serious test for his side.
“Montenotte have been the most consistent team over the past year and winning the treble is certainly evidence of that,” said Ingle.
“Mark Scannell is a very experienced coach but the game will be decided by the players on the court.”
Scannell said: “It will be a very intense game on Saturday and I just hope we don’t pick up any injuries with the cup game the following week.
Tolka Rovers travel to the University of Limerick on Sunday to meet in-form UL Aughinish, while Meteors and DART Killester face tough assignments away to LeisureWorld Churchfield Iona and Waterford Wildcats respectively.
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