Favourites DART ready for rough ride at Neptune
The two-legged semi-finals may have added a new dimension to the business end of the SuperLeague but the system has doubled the pressure on the top four and, of the title favourites, Killester may feel the strain most on what is the tougher side of the draw.
Neptune may have lost to DART Killester three times already this season but they are on the crest of a wave at the moment and home advantage will play a big part in this first leg clash.
The Dubliners won’t be helped by the loss of their Grenada-born star, Michael Bonaparte, through injury on the eve of the semi-finals.
“It’s a blow to lose Michael but we just have to get on with it. We still have plenty of talent in the squad and we will be doing our utmost to reach another league final,” Killester coach Mark Keenan said.
He has a lot of respect for Neptune who nearly pulled off a shock win when they met in the cup semi-finals.
“They showed tremendous hunger to advance past a highly fancied Belfast Star in the quarter finals of the SuperLeague,” he said.
Neptune coach Stephen McCarthy, who is agonising over the fitness of injured point guard Michael McGinn, realises the enormity of the task that lies ahead. “It will be very tough against one of the most consistent sides over the past few years,” he said. “They have already beaten us three times this season so it will be tough.
“They have a great panel of Irish players and they have great depth. We will need to improve again on last week’s performance if we are to have a chance. Defence is key for us.”
UCC Demons are hot favourites to claim silverware in Letterkenny in two weeks time simply because they are playing superb basketball at present.
In UCD Marian they would appear to have the easier side of the draw but their coach, Douglas Leichner, insists that they cannot and will not take anything for granted until they lift the trophy.
“UCD Marian has the ability for any player to lead their break, therefore we must be versatile in how we stop the ball and rotate against their primary break. Our half court defence must be disciplined enough in our scheme to counter Marian’s offensive sets. The game will be won or lost on the boards.
“The Demons must rebound with a gang mentality and finish off plays. Defensively, UCD Marian switch well between man and zone. With that being said, Demons must quickly recognise the defence and attack it,” he added.
UCD Marian coach Cormac Connor admitted Demons have been outstanding all season but said their lads deserve huge credit for the manner in which they saw off Limerick.
“Our objective was to reach the playoff’s and now that we are in it we want to at least make an impression,” he said. “Demons have hugely talented players but we must focus on our own game and hope we can just produce one of those performances that could surprise our opponents.”
The semi-final first legs in the Women’s Superleague sees regular season champions DCU Mercy travel to Bausch & Lomb Wildcats, while UL Aughinish are set for a mouth watering meeting with National Cup champions Team Montenotte Hotel Cork.
UL’s Player of the Month for February Kirsten O’Neill is struggling with a knee injury and coach Sasa Punosevac rates the US star as 50/50 ahead of their mammoth clash with Team Montenotte Hotel Cork.
“We are an experienced side and have shown in the National Cup that we are able for the big occasion,” Team Montenotte coach Mark Scannell said. “UL have beaten us already this season so we are treating each game as a cup final. It’s going to be a real battle but hopefully we will have enough over two legs.”
DCU have a full squad available for their tricky clash away to Bausch & Lomb Wildcats. “It was great to claim the Regular Season but that means nothing now and we must prepare for two of the biggest games of our season,” DCU coach Mark Ingle said.
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