Thompson sets the tone for Neptune

THERE were mixed fortunes for the Cork sides, Bord Gáis Neptune and UCC Demons, ahead of their National Cup semi-final next Sunday.

Neptune travelled to Belfast to beat Star 61-83 in the Nivea for Men SuperLeague and Demons lost a tight home game, 82-85, to defending champions, 11890 Killester. Neptune’s American, Ron Thompson, top scored with 34 points in what was a second successive win since their derby drubbing when Demons overwhelmed them on their home court.

“We have bounced back well following our tough defeat to Demons,” Neptune coach, Mark Scannell, said. “We had a good win today, and we managed to get out with a clean bill of health.”

Paul Kelleher would obviously like to go into next weekend’s game on a winning streak but Killester were rebounding from their two-point loss to DCU Saints. Even though they trailed 43-39 at half time and were 17 points down at one stage in the game, they turned in a gutsy performance to claim the points and restore confidence.

Jermaine Turner hit 29 points with Pete Madsen on 18 while Shawn Atupem’s 24 top scored for Demons.

“It was important to bounce back following last weekend’s defeat, especially as we look forward to the national cup semi-final in Cork next weekend,” Killester coach, Darren O’Neill said. “We were 17 points down in the game, but we changed our defence and grew in confidence.”

UL Eagles had to pull out all the stops to snatch a one-point victory from Moycullen on Saturday night. In fact Jason Kileen scored two free throws in the dying seconds of the game to secure the 58-59 win and avenge a loss inflicted on them by the Galway side earlier in the year.

DCU Saints are the title favourites at this point in the season and they confirmed their position at the top of the pile with a 59-64 victory over UCD Marian who were hoping for a double having beaten Belfast Star 71-60 on Saturday night.

In the Nivea Women’s SuperLeague, Aisling O’Sullivan hit 20 points as 11890 Killester ground out an eight point win over Cork side Brunell while Meteors beat Dynamos and DCU Mercy eased past Liffey Celtics.

WIT Wildcats were a point ahead of table toppers, UL, 24-25, at half time and turned in a strong third quarter but it was not enough as UL stormed to a 46-57 win that will send them into next weekend’s cup semi-final in the right frame of mind.

But Team Montenotte Hotel Cork kept up the pressure with a 60-82 victory over Ulster Rockets that pleased coach, Cormac Donoghue, no end.

“It was all about the result tonight,” he said. “It was our first game back after Christmas and we were rusty at times. We had a strong second and third quarter.”