In-form Demons chase another major scalp

UCC DEMONS, who sprung a huge shock last weekend when ending the winning run of the Nivea for Men SuperLeague leaders, DCU Saints, travel to Dublin tomorrow in search of another upset when they take on 11890 Killester.

There is no love lost between the sides who have swapped the National Cup around in recent years and, to add to the friction, Demons were 16 points up against their arch rivals at the Parochial Hall earlier in the season when the game was abandoned due to condensation on the court and the points awarded to Killester.

While Demons protested they did not dwell on the decision and went ahead with business, coming from a seven point deficit to snatch victory from Eagles and then beat table toppers, DCU Saints, in last weekend’s big cross conference clash.

We may be a long way from the business end of the SuperLeague but few would dispute the fact that Paul Kelleher’s side appear likely to be the big challengers for the title and the coach is looking to this weekend’s game.

“Killester will always be a handful as they have the nucleus of a very good side and we will have our hands full against them,” he said.

“I am not going to talk about our last game against them because that chapter is closed and now it’s a case of playing the type of defence we produced against Saints and hopefully we will get the right result.”

With the Irish Wheelchair Association gym unavailable Killester return to the Oblate Hall in Inchicore, something their coach, Darren O’Neill, is not too happy about.

“After the losses to DCU Saints and UL Eagles we really could do with a home game but we have to play in Inchicore and quite a few of our lads have never played there so the home advantage is gone,” he said.

After winning their first three games of the season Neptune lost their next three but got back to winning last weekend against Belfast Star and coach Mark Scannell wants to build on this win weekend when they travel to play cup champions, UCD Marian, whose form is also somewhat indifferent.

“We certainly needed to get back to a winning habit but this is another tough test because Belfield has proved a fortress over the years,” he said.

Marian coach, Fran Ryan, will have to play without the scoring power of Daniel James who tore a hamstring against Moycullen last weekend but he is hoping they can turn around the 10 point loss they suffered when the sides last clashed.

After their win over Team Montenotte Hotel, UL are top of the Women’s SuperLeague and James Weldon will be anxious to consolidate their position against Waterford Wildcats.

“The one good thing about my squad of players is their attitude as they give all teams the respect they deserve and that will not change,” he said.