Cork Basketball: Pat Price on his coaching career and new start with Neptune

New coach of Energywise Ireland Neptune Pat Price is keenly looking forward to the new Men’s Super League season as he gets ready to take his side to Belfast Star in their opener on Saturday.

The last time that Price coached in the Men’s Super League was with Tralee Warriors. That spell concluded in disappointment after the 2020/2021 season when his side was denied the title after getting a points deduction.

“Tralee was a terrific experience as they are a top-class club from their players to their backroom team and of course their loyal fans who are a pleasure to deal with,” Price said.

Losing the league title in 2021 was a disappointment for Price and the club in general.

“Time and history will be kind to Tralee in that regard as we were playing great basketball but now, I have put the errors made by Basketball Ireland in the rear-view mirror as I feel it’s now a closed chapter,” Price added.

After remaining on for seven years as the Irish U16 head coach Price then moved to Fr Mathew’s last season where he took his team to the final of the Paudie O’Connor Women’s National Cup final.

“It was a great experience because every job I do is a project, and this was an opportunity that presented itself as I was in the building where my kids are members of the club.

“Niamh Dwyer and I are good friends, and she raised the possibility of me taking over but as a project, it was a successful one judging by their results over the previous season.

“Credit to all concerned they put in a serious effort and we had some big performances over the year and were unlucky that we came up against a magnificent Brunell side in the cup final as we actually played very well."

Taking over this summer at the Blackpool club is another tough challenge for coach Price but he is presently relishing it with his new squad.

“I don’t think we are going to hit our ceiling in October as we are bedding down a lot of new concepts with some new philosophies.

“Defence and offence structures are crucial, and we are still trying to blend as we have more than half a new team and getting the recruits tuned in is the challenge right now.” 

There is no looking back for Price in his new role.

Last season was last season and hopefully that’s behind the players that were involved in that campaign as the beauty of a new season is that you get to start afresh and that’s where we are right now.” 

Neptune this season have signed Americans Jahmal Wright and Ar’Mond Davis and with Croatian Jaksa Sola coach Price looks to have got his professional signings right.

“I think we will improve as the season matures, and we know there will be cup games between the league fixtures and it’s about getting it right for one-off games.

“The cup is all about getting breaks and you need a little luck in the draw but that’s for another day.” 

CHANGE

There is a new format this season with a straight league of 13 teams with home and away fixtures that Price believes will test the best.

“The league this year could be won this season on your record in how you perform in the double headers and I will be interested at the end of the season how the top teams fared in those games.” 

Belfast Star were a top-class team last season and traveling north for the opening game will test this new look Neptune side.

On the plus side, they have Roy Downey, Cian and Adam Heaphy and the O’Sullivan brothers, Darragh and Conor, giving them a good array of Irish players.

“I am led to believe they have a new coach at Star but when you have the Quinn brothers in your squad there is always a chance, they will hurt you with their outside shooting.

“We all know travelling to Belfast is a trek but for me, it’s about having the right attitude when you step off that bus and hopefully, we will be ready for battle.”