Neptune shake off testy Saints as Star banish Demons

BORD GAIS NEPTUNE, the most decorated team in the Nivea for Men SuperLeague, qualified for the semi-finals of the current competition with an 83-69 victory over old rivals, DCU Saints, while Belfast Star pulled off the shock of the play-offs in the form of a dramatic two-point victory over UCC Demons yesterday afternoon.

The weekend results mean that the defending champions, 11890 Killester, will meet Star who have already beaten them twice this season in the semi-finals while the Southern Conference champions, UL Eagles, await Neptune who have also beaten them.

Star sneaked into the quarter-finals after cup champions, UCD Marian, collapsed at the business end of the competition and yesterday afternoon the Belfast side made the most of the opportunity by totting up a 20-point lead over Demons before the home side almost caught them cold in a dramatic finish.