Game On: UCC Demons confirm they'll host Neptune in controversial basketball replay

UCC Demons have confirmed they'll be fulfilling their Men's Super League quarter-final play-off rematch against great rivals Energywise Ireland Neptune after long discussions with the players.

The game will be played at the Mardyke Arena on Sunday with a 5.30pm tip-off. 

Demons won the original meeting last weekend to set up a last-four clash with Tralee Warriors but the National League Committee ordered the game to be played again after an error on the scoresheet where Neptune weren't awarded two points they had scored. 

Even though the gap at the final buzzer was 100-93, the derby must be replayed with the winner meeting Warriors midweek for the right to take on Killester or Eanna in the Super League final.

In a statement, Demons explained to their members the reason behind fulfilling their fixture and hit out at the organising body.

“Blue Demons basketball club have decided to remain in the competition as the NLC offered no viable to an alternative. The reasons are too complex, and we will give you the principal points of our decision.

"13 clubs approximately, 200 players and coaches have worked for the past nine months to determine the best team in the league.

"The withdrawal of UCC Demons as the number one ranked team for administration, gamesmanship and principals would have denied all these players and clubs to conclude the work on court.

"We have full consideration for our partners in UCC and the Mardyke Arena who are very important to our club and were all factored in our decision.

PUNISHED

"This was never a Demons and Neptune dispute as neither team did nothing wrong, but it turned out to be Neptune v Basketball Ireland issue which then became a UCC Demons versus Basketball Ireland issue still to be explained.

"The game will go on but away from the court, but we will also go on to hold the NLC to account as we need to understand why we were punished.

"The handling and the decision making and their failing in their duty of care to officials.

"In a week that created more questions than answers, trust and credibility were damaged we draw a line in the sand for now.”