Demons underdogs for derby clash

Mardyke UCC Demons will be the underdogs going into the Cork basketball derby game on Friday night after a run of victories for Neptune in recent weeks.

Demons were lucky to come out on top of last weekend's clash against Frosties Tigers, while Neptune defeated Notre Dame by 15 points in the ESB Arena, a feat which few teams will manage this year.

Neptune were without Emmett Neville last weekend but are expecting him to be available for Friday's game.

By mutual consent, DeWaune Wesley parted company with Demons after the Frosties Tigers game last weekend and has been replaced by Bill Romano.

6ft 8ins Romano comes from Division One University, Quinnipiac.

The unplanned change puts coach Pat Price under pressure ahead of the Neptune clash, with Romano arriving into Ireland only hours before tip-off.

The absence of a big inside player has been a cause of concern for Demons management since the beginning of the season so the introduction of Romano should balance the team.