Demons and Neptune set for Christmas cracker
Tonight they lock horns at The Mardyke Arena (8pm) where another full house is guaranteed and while the crowd will create a special atmosphere, it’s business as usual for two sides wrestling for the positions behind UL Eagles at the top of the Conference.
“Let there be no doubt about it, this is a big game for both teams,” Demons’ coach Paul Kelleher insisted. “In a derby game it’s the crowd who create the atmosphere and that’s makes it different but we try and treat it as we would treat every other game.
Both sides have been without a game for some time due to the weather which cancelled their respective trips to Belfast two weeks ago.
Coach Kelleher admitted they badly needed that game because their influential point, Shane Coughlan, and their big American, Marcus Van, were fully fit again and ready for a return.
Both players have been out of action since their Cup loss to UL Eagles when Coughlan broke a middle finger and Van came away with a combination of knee and foot injuries.
Neptune and Demons crossed paths three times last season and two of those games would challenge for the game of the decade with the Cup semi-final at Neptune Stadium possibly shading it.
And their clash earlier this season was another thriller for the fans although both coaches admitted to a lot of mistakes.
“Both teams made a lot of mistakes,” Kelleher said. “But, having said that, it was an exciting game for the fans. We try to detach ourselves from that and concentrate on our game.”
The last night Demons gave up 29 points in the first quarter but they only conceded 39 for the remainder of the game for a three point victory.
Niall O’Reilly was the steadying influence but he has since departed for Australia. Marcus Van had what was probably his best game of the season and when the chips were down Shane Coughlan stepped up.
Neptune coach, Pat Price, has been around the block a bit and more. He guided Demons to all the honours with Paul Kelleher as his assistant, but he continues to learn something from every game and he will have come away with new ideas from the last derby.
“I make no bones about it, we did not perform on the night, particularly on the boards and on this occasion my players will have to be aware of how [Marcus] Van operates. Kyle Hosford also exposed us and this is another threat that will need to be curbed but I am confident my players will address all the areas where Demons are likely to pose us problems.”
Last time they were also adjusting to a new American, Michael Bonaparte, who had been brought in to replace big Robinson Louisme who had returned home with an injury.
“Robinson was a big centre and a great guy and his injury upset the rhythm as Michael is a different type of player,” said coach Price. “When we last met Demons’, Michael was only playing with us a week so I am banking on him to have learned from that game.”
Tonight they must plan without captain Michael McGinn who is holidaying in Canada, but Neptune have a record of stepping up in those situations and Price will be looking for something extra from Ger Noonan, Jason Wilkinson and Jermaine Kamara.
“Jason has a great attitude and is a steady ball player while Jermaine is a super athlete so Neptune are safe at this level with such players coming through,” he said.
Neptune will be back in action on Sunday when they host Ulster Elks at Neptune Stadium (3pm) while UCC Demons host UCD Marian at the Mardyke Arena on Monday.
See Results for fixtures.
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