Scannell prepped for derby date

MARK SCANNELL has been through derby games as a player and a coach and is the first to admit there will be very little between the sides when Bord Gáis Neptune and UCC Demons clash in the Nivea for Men SuperLeague at Neptune Stadium tonight.

Scannell, who enjoyed a record breaking run with Team Montenotte in the Women’s SuperLeague, is settling at Neptune Stadium and is delighted with their two big results to date.

“So far so good,” he said. “It’s been a good start but we’re not getting carried away. I’m just finding my feet and the lads are just getting used to me. Maybe from conditioning point of view we could be a lot fitter but we’ll catch up on it.”

He insisted a lot of questions will be answered tonight pointing out that the form book can be thrown out the window.

“Local derbies are a great boost for the players,” he said.

“No mater what way a team is going in the league or cup, the local derby is a great boost. Anything can happen on the night — I know it’s a cliché — but form goes out the window.

“The derby game throws up unexpected heroes and it’s great for the younger guys to get opportunity to perform on what is the big stage down here.

“Looking at the Americans in Cork — both really top class players — I feel they will cancel each other out and it will be down to the Irish players to decide the issue. Demons have a very deep bench with a lot of younger players now coming through.”

While the record will show last weekend’s technical loss when the game with 11890 Killester was abandoned due to a condensation problem, Demons are also unbeaten and coach Paul Kelleher has corrected their defensive problems.

“Last weekend is forgotten and as far as we are concerned we have two wins,” he insisted. “Now I want to focus on the performance that the guys displayed during the game and use it against Neptune.”

UL Eagles coach, Mark Keenan, will be back in familiar surroundings tomorrow night when Eagles will face up to his old team, 11890 Killester, but he knows exactly what they have to do.

“Our focus will be contained on Jermaine Turner, Michael Westbrooks and Peder Madsen as we all know the damage any one of them can do if they are let loose,” he said.

Reigning Cup champions, UCD Marian, will be without Mike Higgins due to an ankle injury sustained earlier in the season when they line out against Belfast Star while Star will finally get to see their new American, Tyson Johnson, in action after getting clearance.

The Demons/Neptune clash will not be the only derby game in town this weekend as debutantes, Singleton’s SuperValu Brunell, play host to the multi-medalled Team Montenotte Hotel Cork at the Parochial Hall on Sunday afternoon (2.45pm).

nSee Digest for the weekend’s fixtures.