Demons hit the ton

C & S UCC Demons 101 Bord Gais Neptune 77

On a night Blue Demons’ 1973 National league winning team were honoured at the interval the new kids on the block did not let them down.

Although Neptune began brightly, Demons wore them down with high intensity basketball and player coach Colin O’Reilly was naturally delighted with his team’s performance.

“The fans were excellent and the progress that this team are making makes me very proud as a coach and hopefully we can maintain our consistency. At the end of the evening it was three points and nothing more but I am sure the fans will enjoy the bragging rights,” he said.

In the opening quarter Demons were helped with two long range three-pointers from captain Shane Coughlan that helped them lead 29-20 entering the second period.

Neptune were relying on the shooting skills of Roy Downey to keep them in the game but Demons’ Colin O’Reilly ensured they led 52-41 interval lead.

The home supporters were treated to an exhibition of basketball in the third quarter with Christian Anon and Lehmon Colbert excelling on the boards.

Neptune trailed 81-56 at the end of the third quarter, as suddenly they looked a deflated team.

The home supporters were in raptures coming down the stretch as Colin O’Reilly and Kyle Hosford scored transition baskets. Try as they did Neptune were always playing second best much to the disappointment of captain Ger Noonan. “We gave ourselves too much to do after half-time but credit to Demons they are a very good side and will take some stopping,” he said.

C & S UCC DEMONS: S Coughlan, C Anon, K Hosford, B O’Neill, C O’Sullivan, D O’Sullivan, M O’Leary, N O’Reilly, A O’Sullivan, L Colbert, C O’Reilly.

BORD GAIS NEPTUNE: G Noonan, M McGinn, D Townes, G Walsh, M Rudak, R Downey, D Cronin, D Bucan, C Murray, P Stapleton, B Kiely.

Referees: Paul Dempsey (Dublin), Padraic Caden (Dublin), Maurice Thornhill (Cork).