Much more than pride at stake in Cork derby

EXPECT more fireworks when Bord Gais Neptune and UCC Demons meet in the Cork SuperLeague local derby at Neptune Stadium tomorrow night.

Demons won the bragging rights last time, but there is much more than pride at stake now as the business end of the SuperLeague approaches. Demons lie second in the Southern Conference — a guarantee of home advantage in the play-offs — but their old foes aren’t ready to surrender the position just yet.

“We are excited about being on our home floor against Demons,” Neptune coach, Pat Price, said.

“We will need to play with much more energy, enthusiasm and urgency to keep up with the favourites. We have to demand more from ourselves, and we have to give nothing less than 100% Saturday night.”

UCC Demons bounced back to winning form against Belfast Star last weekend but Danny Mahony, Niall Murphy and Daniel O’Sullivan are injury worries.

“Neptune have been building up some momentum since the last derby game,” Demons’ coach, Paul Kelleher, said. “Their defence has been keeping teams below their average scoring so we know we will have to be patient on the offensive end.”

After exacting some revenge for their cup final defeat against UCD Marian last weekend, 11890 Killester will be hot favourites to keep their defence of their SuperLeague title on track against Ulster Elks.

“Elks have some great individual players that can score big, as Kevin Foley did last week by hitting 33 points against Moycullen,” coach Mark Keenan said. “We must continue where we left off last week against UCD and make sure we are ready for this tough challenge.”

UCD Marian’s cup celebrations were brought to an abrupt end last weekend with back-to-back losses to DCU Saints and Killester and they face another tough assignment against Belfast Star who also have their sights on the play-offs.

DCU Saints will be without Eanna Rutherford who is out with a back injury while Eoin Quill is rated doubtful for their clash at home to Moycullen but they are on a good run at the moment with wins over Demons, Killester and Marian under their belts.

In the IrishSport.TV Women’s SuperLeague, Team Montenotte Hotel Cork will again be without Marie Breen when they travel to UL for a top of the table clash.

“If we beat UL we have a great chance of claiming the regular season and heading into the play-off’s with home advantage,” Montenotte coach, Mark Scannell, said.

“UL have an abundance of talent, Michelle Fahy brings a lot to the team, while Rachel Vanderwal and Natalie Taylor are quality players.”

DCU Mercy are fancied to add the SuperLeague to their cup victory and can take another step in that direction when they entertain Waterford Wildcats.