Coughlan urges Demons to keep focus against Marian

Basketball: C&S UCC Demons captain Shane Coughlan is urging his team to remain focused on the job in hand when they travel to Dublin tomorrow to play UCD Marian in the Men’s Premier league at Belfield.

Last season Demons were almost caught napping at the Dublin venue when UCD Marian defeated them by 31 points in the second leg of the National Cup, having lost the first leg by 32.

Coughlan proved to be hero on that occasion when shooting a buzzer beater three-pointer that eventually saw them go on to win the title.

When Demons went back to Belfield for a league clash last season they won by 40 points but Coughlan warns that one never knows what team is going to show up against you when playing UCD Marian.

Coughlan said: “You have two sides to UCD Marian but when they do show up they are pretty formidable opponents, particularly on their home court.

“I think this season we have shown good form on the road but this will be another huge test of our character that hopefully we can get through and remain as league leaders.”

BVG Neptune thrashed UCD Marian last week and captain Conor Meany fears the worst if they reproduce that performance.

“We were average in the first half but poor in the second and the way Demons have started this season we could be in for a torrid evening if we are not up for the challenge,” Conor said.

Dublin Inter and DCU Saints are going through a tough period and their game at Mountview will be an interesting battle for the all-important points.

UL Eagles were unlucky losers against BVG Neptune and they will fancy their chances of toppling Belfast Star at the UL Arena.

The northerners are involved in a weekend double header as they travel to the National basketball arena on Sunday to play Templeogue.

No doubt the second game at basketball headquarters will be hotly contested with Swords Thunder clashing with Killester.

The former Killester ace point guard Isaac Westbrooks is part of the Swords outfit who have a very talented squad that are capable of toppling the champions.

For the Swords boss Dave Baker this will be a good test for his progressive side. “Killester are always tough and, although having to play without key players in recent weeks, they are still grinding out results and we will have to match their intensity at the post.

Women’s Premier league leaders Team Montenotte entertain Killester, who have reportedly signed two American players. The Clontarf side have yet to register a win and Montenotte coach Mark Scannell will be taking no chances against a side that defeated them in Cork last season.

“Killester have some decent Irish players and if they manage to get these American players it goes without saying we will have our hands full,” Scannell said.

It was announced that Killester have registered Americans Olivia Lee and Robin Murphy but the club declined to confirm if they are making their debuts against Team Montenotte.

In the other games Liffey Celtics should see off the out of form UL Huskies and the DCU Mercy clash with Singletons Supervalu Brunell could well go down to the wire.