Demons’ Kelleher looks to turn tables on red-hot UL

The big two meet in the Nivea for Men’s SuperLeague play-off semi-final at the Mardyke on Sunday.

UCC Demons and UL Eagles have been the pacesetters so far this season and although the Limerick side edged the National Cup final, Demons coach Paul Kelleher believes past clashes between the sides will count for nothing.

“UL Eagles have upped their level in recent weeks and having taken in their game against Killester very few teams if any would have lived with them the way they played,” said Kelleher.

“Their tenacity and intensity was impressive and we will have to be smart, poised and be able to match their aggression. We have come off an incredible few weeks with three double-headers and I’m hoping this amount of basketball has made us sharp.”

But UL are coming into the game on a hot streak. Having claimed their first silverware for 10 years in February, their performance against 11890 Killester in the quarter-finals suggests they can upset the Cork side.

“We know how difficult it is to come away from Cork with a victory so we will need to be at our best in order to win,” said Eagles coach Mark Keenan.

UCD Marian and DCU Saints meet in the other all-Dublin semi-final. UCD’s surprise win over Bord Gáis Neptune belied a run of six straight defeats but coach Fran Ryan knows his side will need similar heroics to beat the Saints.

“It is probably the toughest game one could get,” said Ryan. “Saints have had a tremendous season with a record, up to recently, which was clearly the best in the country.

“They are the deepest team in the country with an ideal mix of size and shooting skill and are definitely the smartest team on court.

“I think they have lost three of their last four games and scored less than 60 in two of those games, which demonstrates they can be stopped if tactics and commitment of the other team is in the right place.”

In the Nivea for Women’s SuperLeague semi-finals, Team Montenotte host DCU Mercy at the Neptune Stadium, with champions UL entertaining Waterford Wildcats.

“DCU defeated us easily in a recent league game but I feel we have learned a bit since that loss and I am confident we will give a good account of ourselves,” said Team Montenotte coach Cormac O’Donoghue.

“It has been a tough season for us but we are far from a spent force and I am forecasting a very close game if we come to play.”

UL have not lost a Women’s SuperLeague game since December 2010 and the reigning champions will be favourites to take a step towards another title when they host the Wildcats.

“UL’s performance in the cup final and their unbeaten record outlines just how difficult it is going to be,” said Wildcats coach Tommy O’Mahoney.

“We didn’t do too badly against them this season despite losing both games. We won’t travel in fear and will give it our best shout.”