Northside bragging rights for Demons in Cork Super League derby

UCC Demons Sean Clancey is blocked at the net by Neptune’s Jamal Wright in the Mardyke Arena. Picture Chani Anderson

Men's Super League UCC Demons 106 Energwise Ireland Neptune 76 

UCC Demons produced an awesome display to demolish Energywise Ireland Neptune in the Men’s Super League at the Mardyke Arena on Sunday.

In a game that Demons dominated from start to finish, Sean Clancey led their scoring with a 20-point contribution, but the athleticism of James Hannigan and Dave Lehane helped the home side big time.

It only took eight seconds for Demons to open their scoring account when Toby Christensen banked a shot that was followed by a Dave Lehane three pointer.

Neptune looked tentative in the opening exchanges before Roy Downey shot a monstrous three pointer.

The home side were dictating affairs as Neptune continued to make basic errors and trailing 18-7 midway through the quarter coach Pat Price called a time out to steady the ship.

Demons American Sean Clancey was poor in the opening minutes having a couple of turnovers and taking some poor shooting options.

The Neptune American duo of Jahmal Wright and Ar’Mond Davis were relatively quiet and with a minute remaining Demons had built up a 14-point lead.

Kyle Hosford drained a three pointer on the restart as Neptune looked a disorganised unit at both ends of the floor but Demons called a time out in the 13th minute after missing a couple of easy tips.

The pendulum swung in Neptune’s direction as they chipped in with nine unanswered points and suddenly the deficit was reduced to nine points with Demons calling a time out midway through the quarter.

Just when Neptune looked to be back in the game they made a couple of basic errors that allowed Demons regain control and in the closing minutes to half time they built up a 57-39 lead.

Demons started the second half without American Elijah Tillman who picked up a first-half injury but Clancey nailed an early three pointer.

Some of the basketball witnessed in the early minutes was poor with Demons indiscipline coming back to hurt them for a period.

Thankfully for the Demons faithful they restored control and with Clancey improving Demons regained a 22-point lead with 1.45 remaining in the period.

Neptune despite their best efforts couldn’t respond and get the vital baskets to peg Demons back and entering the final quarter they trailed 75-55.

With Demons rotating Neptune reduced the deficit to 14 points. Suddenly Demons looked rattled but coach O’Mahony brought some of his leading players back into the action.

In the end Neptune were truly outclassed by a Demons side who came into the game as underdogs but the bragging rights on Cork’s northside are firmly with the Sunday’s Well outfit.

Scorers for UCC Demons: S Clancey 20, E Tillman 19, D Lehane 18.

Neptune: J Wright 24, N Sabata 16, D O’Sullivan 9.

UCC DEMONS: S Hannigan, J O’Leary, B Murphy, T Christensen, S Clancey, J Hannigan, D Lehane, E Spudis, K Hosford, C Looney, D Cuff, E Tillman.

ENERGYWISE IRELAND NEPTUNE: K O’Donoghue, D O’Sullivan, O Connolly, R Downey, C O’Sullivan, J Wright, D Aluko, A Heaphy, D O’Rourke, N Sabata, A Davis, C Heaphy.

Referees: J Dooley (Portlaoise), C White (Dublin), E Buckley (Kerry).