Ballincollig hope to make home advantage count in tough National Cup tie against Eanna
Latrell Jossell, Ballincollig, shoots from Sean Jenkins, Eanna, at MTU Arena. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Ballincollig will be hoping for a repeat performance of their win over Eanna last weekend when they entertain the same opposition in the Domino’s Men’s National Cup at the MTU Arena tomorrow (4pm).
The Super League game last weekend was rated one of the best in the championship this season and Ballincollig player-coach Ciaran O’Sullivan will be hoping his side can go head-to-head with their Dublin opposition.
In fairness, coach O’Sullivan and his assistant Matt Hall have their team well drilled and with three top-class professionals they are now playing better than most in this country.
There is little doubt the biggest positive to come out of Saturday’s win was the performance of Adrian O’Sullivan who finished with an impressive 21 points with teammate Keelan Cairns have a 13-point tally.
Eanna are a very organised team and will return to Leeside with a game plan to erase the errors they made in the league defeat.
Energywise Ireland Neptune fresh from their first win over Sligo All Stars in the Men’s Super League last weekend make the trip to play Tralee Warriors at the Castleisland Sports Complex.
Neptune will go into the game as underdogs as they look a long way off the great sides of yesteryear that represented this club.
It is well documented that Neptune and their coach Keith Daly parted ways in the run-up to the Sligo game and the recruitment of his Americans will be one of his biggest regrets.
Last weekend's coaching partnership of Paul O’Brien and Darren Geaney will be pleased with getting a win in their game at the helm but make no mistake the westerners were missing two key players including Irish international John Carroll.
New coach Ciaran Kiveney will have had little time with his new team to prepare for this vital cup game and it will be interesting to see what he can do before the game with Tralee.
On the plus side for Neptune, Nil Sabata had a season-best and with Gregorio Adon also finding his shooting range it laid the foundation for their win.
Tralee Warriors haven’t set the league alight this season but in the cauldron of the Castleisland Sports complex are bound to prove difficult opponents.
There is every chance Neptune could cause a shock, but they will need everything to drop in their favour to stay in this championship.
UCC Demons will be wondering how they are in a Super League position of 1/5 as they get ready for a tricky away game at Limerick Celtics in the first round of the National Cup.
Demons' latest defeat came on Sunday last after overtime to Super League leaders Belfast Star after dominating the majority of the game and holding a 20-point lead in the second quarter.
It was a far better performance from Danny O’Mahony’s troops, but the result was a fifth consecutive Super League loss.
Black needs to avoid errors when in possession, as two late turnovers against Star cost his team big time but his effort over 40 minutes on court should be commended.
Doles also improved and his team need to figure out his best position.
The return of Kyle Hosford was a welcome sight and despite being off the pace his experience alone on the bench will help his team.
Celtics have a good American pairing in Airyon Williams and Zachery Hudson and Irish players Finn Hughes and Ruari Cronin will need to be respected.
The one problem for Demons is that the game is now taking place at the Crescent College which is a tight court and if the Shannonsiders train at this venue it will give them a big help.
There is little doubt if Demons play to their potential and play in your face defence they could well book a home quarter final against Dublin outfit St Vincent’s.
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