Coach delighted as Demons deliver

UCC DEMONS coach Paul Kelleher believes his side’s amazing comeback to win at Moycullen in the Nivea for Men Superleague will prove to be a turning point in their season.

Demons looked set to lose their second successive Superleague encounter on the road – having gone down to UCD Marian last time out – when they found themselves 17 points down at half-time in Galway.

Cian Nihill’s 21 points had helped Moycullen establish that lead, but a second half defensive surge by Demon’s Shane Duggan and Ciaran O’Sullivan propelled the Cork side to an 88-83 victory.

“A win is a win and this is a big one for us,” said Kelleher. “I believe that the second-half was the turning point – not just for the game but for us as a team and our season.”

Only 18 hours after beating DCU Saints, UL Eagles triumphed over Bord Gáis Neptune 70-57.

Eagles’ USA stand out Cameron Mitchell and Irish International Scott Kinevane contributed 14 and 13 points respectively with Ger Noonan and Michael McGinn combining for 43 points for the Cork side.

Mitchell’s 25-point haul was instrumental in their 77-61 defeat of DCU Saints, but Eagles head coach Mark Bernsen believed the Limerick side needs to get back to improving their fitness.

“Normally you wouldn’t want to play back-to-back games – especially early in the season because it showed that our fitness wasn’t very good,” stated Bernsen.

UCD Marian proved too tough for the Ulster Elks as they edged past the Northern side 91-75.

Elks kept the score-line tight until a deep UCD bench proved too much for Ulster in the closing minutes.

UCD Marian’s contributing duo of American James Crowder and Irish stand out Conor Meany combined for 48 points.

11890 Killester’s head coach Mark Keenan was pleased with his side’s defensive stance that aided in a 88-57 victory against Belfast Star on Saturday night.

Killester’s Jermaine Turner contributed 21 points and was aided by team-mates Pete Madsen and Alan Casey who combined for 27 points respectively.

In the IrishSport.Tv Women’s SuperLeague, reigning league champions, Team Montenotte Hotel Cork kicked off their campaign with a 72-34 victory over 11890 Killester.

League newcomers Black Forge Oblate Dynamos celebrated their first win of the season, getting the better of Meteors by 63-47.