Neptune axe Scannell

Mark Scannell expressed his surprise last night at his first sacking as a basketball coach after Neptune relieved him of his position as head coach following an inconsistent season in basketball’s Men’s Premier League.

Scannell, 47, one of the game’s most respected figures, led the Cork club to National Cup success in 2013 but has paid the price of a patchy campaign this season.

Neptune have lost four of their last five games, and suffered the disappointment of a cup semi-final defeat on their own court against Dublin Inter in January, a turning point in the campaign, he admitted last night.

Scannell attended what he believed was a season review meeting with the club’s hierarchy on Thursday, and felt he was “ambushed” by their intention to remove him from the head coach position.

“Sport is sport and different committees have different understandings of coaching. I’m not getting into a slanging match. I can give a hundred reasons for our season, but people will say I’m making excuses,” he said.

The club issued a statement yesterday admitting it had brought forward its end-of-season review in the light of recent results.

“After careful consideration Neptune has decided not to renew the services of Mark Scannell as coach to their Premier League team for season 2014/2015,” it said. “Despite the efforts of this past season, recent performances suggested a change was required in order to move forward.”

Neptune expressed their gratitude to Scannell, who is also coach to Glanmire’s successful U18 National Cup-winning team this season. “The club will be working actively over the next few weeks to put a new coaching structure in place so work can begin during the close season,” it added.

Scannell’s father passed away during the season, a personal trauma he accepts might have affected his focus.

He added: “The timing of the committee’s decision is surprising to say the least, but that is their decision. I know I can coach and that I brought this team on. This time last year I was coach of the year.

“Neptune is a team in transition. You have a group of 30-plus-year-olds and four or five 19- and-20-year-olds. You have none of the 24-26-year-olds. It’s about bridging the gap. Maybe I should have gone with a younger line-up, I don’t know?

Neptune finished third in the Premier League behind Killester and UCC Demons.

James Weldon, coach to UL’s all-conquering women’s side, could be a contender for the Neptune post as he weighs up his future with the Huskies.