Intriguing Neptune double bill pits pedigree against form

Neptune Stadium hosts Energywise Neptune’s home Cup quarter-final against Killester and a few hours earlier stages UCC Demons’ quarter against Garvey’s Tralee Warriors.

Cian Heaphy, Energywise Ireland Neptune scores despite the defensive efforts of Paul Dick, Killester in the Mens Superleague Basketball at Neptune Stadium, Cork on Saturday. Pic Larry Cummins

You wouldn’t have it had happen back in the ’80s. Maybe not even as recently as five years ago either.

Neptune and Blue Demons is one of the most enduring rivalries in all of Irish sport, outlasting even Meath-Dublin and Cork-Kerry as an old-firm fixture that still is relevant and resonates with neutrals and partisans alike, as anyone privileged to be present at their National Cup semi-final that went to overtime in the fledgling days of this year can testify.