O’Neill and Scannell get perfect start at new clubs

THERE were perfect results for new coaches, Darren O’Neill and Mark Scannell, as the reigning NIVEA for MEN SuperLeague champions, 11890 Killester, Bord Gais Neptune, got the new basketball season under way.

O’Neill, who replaced Mark Keenan at Killester this season, got his reign off to a winning start with a comprehensive 90-63 win over his former club Belfast Star.

“It’s good to get a winning start but we are under no illusions and it is very difficult to read much into the result,” he said.

“It was always going to be difficult for Star without their American and we were in a no win situation. It’s a game you just want to get out of the way, get the win and now move on to what will be an extremely difficult test away to UCC Demons next weekend.”

Killester may be without some of the stars that led them to the title last season but it was the experienced trio of Jermaine Turner, Kieran O’Brien and Michael Westbrooks that impressed in the scoring stakes.

After an impressive campaign last season UL Eagles have been singled out as the team to beat this time around and Mark Scannell’s Bord Gais Neptune did just that courtesy of a 78-62 scoreline at Neptune Stadium.

Eagles’ cause wasn’t helped by the absence of American Johnnie Jefferson, who is awaiting clearance before playing his first game for the club. But Neptune’s American, Ron Thompson, checked in with 28 points for an impressive debut.

“We’re not getting carried away but it was a good start,” coach Scannell said. “We kept our game plan simple and I thought our defence was very good. ”

UCC Demons’ new signing, Shawn Atupem, also impressed on his debut, hitting the game high of 30 pts in their 83-60 win at home to Moycullen.

“We had a tremendous second half but we made a bunch of mistakes throughout the game,” Demons coach, Paul Kelleher, said.. “It’s going to take us a while to get used to playing at this level but it’s a starting point.”

Aoife McDermott hit 20 pts as reigning Nivea Women’s SuperLeague champions, UL, beat Meteors 74-44 — a victory that delighted coach, James Weldon.

“We needed this as we have two tough trips to Dublin on the horizon and hopefully it will help us build some momentum now,” he said.

Niamh Dwyer highlighted her competitive return for Team Montenotte Hotel with 20 points as last season’s beaten finalists claimed a 59-40 win over Oblate Dynamos.

Singleton Super Valu Brunnell won the battle of the debutantes when they beat Liffey Celtics 80-74 — a victory which pleased coach, Kieran O’Leary.