Neptune need to start winning games as they welcome struggling Ballincollig

After a disappointing weekend for Cork clubs Energywise Ireland Neptune and Ballincollig BC, they go head-to-head tomorrow at Neptune Stadium.

Credit to Neptune, they now have a newly renovated state-of-the-art venue with dressing rooms that players in the English Premiership would be proud of.

Many unsung heroes at the Neptune club but well done to all concerned for a great job. It will be a nostalgic day on Friday, October 24, when it is officially opened.

The Neptune hierarchy will be hoping for a much better display for tomorrow’s derby clash with Ballincollig as their display against Belfast Star was well below the standard required at this level.

Many of the faithful would have got a boost with their battling display UCC Demons but in all fairness, that was a game to forget. With Demons playing so poorly it was hard to gauge the Neptune performance.

A near capacity attendance witnessed a blow-out as their Belfast opponents went into a 19-point lead in the opening quarter and it was a case of chasing the game from that period.

The Neptune American duo of Cameron Glover (16) and Zyon Dobbs (15) got their points when the game was over as a contest and they will need to give more against Ballincollig or face their third loss on the belt.

Neptune were surprisingly granted permission to play new Bosman signing Joe Junior Muvezolo despite him playing with Sligo the previous week against Star. Coming off the bench, Murvezolo was average and will need to do a lot more to get his team back to winning ways.

The biggest concern for Neptune is the lack of scoring from their Irish brigade. With the exception of Cian Heaphy, it was a dreadful night at the office.

Ballincollig also have major problems with their latest defeat against St Vincent’s totally unexpected.

Just like Neptune, lack of numbers from their Irish players is a worry. Adrian O’Sullivan (11), Ciaran O’Sullivan (7) and Keelan Cairns (8) gave them a grand total of 26 points last weekend.

The professionals at Ballincollig chipped in with 65 points, which is a good average, but player-coach Ciaran O’Sullivan and his assistant Matt Hall must find a solution to stop the rot.

LOYAL

Both sides will go at it hard in a bid to avoid a 0/3 record and let’s hope they can produce quality basketball to give their loyal fans something to cheer about.

UCC Demons were brought back to earth by Flexachem Killorglin and although the Kerry side were rightfully delighted, the Cork team will be wondering how they allowed them back in the game.

Leading by 16 points in the third quarter, Demons lost all shape.

Looking at their American duo of Shariff Black and Zach Hinton they haven’t done enough to show me they are the right fit in their opening two games.

Hinton was fouled out in the third quarter of their opening win against Neptune but only managed a paltry 10 points in 16 minutes of action. In his latest game, he managed nine points in 20 minutes but surely you need to have your professionals on court to win games.

Demons' other problem lies among their Irish players who look to be only interested in their own numbers and if a bit of togetherness doesn’t come back into the squad they could be in trouble when competing for silverware.

Tomorrow’s opponents Tralee Warriors are similar to Killorglin having a good starting five with little depth but Demons will need to wake up and smell the coffee fast or they could well face another defeat.