Shock defeats as UCC Demons and Neptune crash out of the National Cup in first round

It was a disappointing weekend for Cork basketball on the Men’s Super League front with both Energywise Ireland Neptune and UCC Demons exiting from the National Cup in their first- round clashes.

On the plus side Ballincollig produced a wonderful spectacle to dispose of Eanna that now gives them a chance of progressing further with a home quarter final looming against Belfast Star on December 6.

Better news in the Paudie O’Connor Women’s National Cup as UCC Glanmire came out on top of local rivals Catalyst Fr Mathew’s with Gurranabraher Credit Union disposing of St Paul’s in Killarney.

There is little doubt the elimination of UCC Demons to Limerick Celtics brought shockwaves to the basketball fraternity.

No excuses Demons had plenty of chances to book a quarter final berth but sadly coming down the stretch made schoolboy errors with poor shooting and passing options.

After taking a nine- point lead into the fourth quarter Demons were outscored 24-12 as the former champions eventually lost 91-88.

To be fair it was decent game of ball with Finn Hughes producing 27 points for the shannonsiders.

This was Demons sixth consecutive defeat and looking at them in this game they simply have runout of ideas on how to win and now with the cup out of their sights they are possibly facing a relegation battle with only one Super League win under their belt.

Energywise Ireland Neptune are another Cork side in meltdown as they travelled to Tralee Warriors and lost 72-64.

Neptune did put in a good first half shift and led by the minimum at half time 37-36 but they lost the plot in the third quarter and were outscored 22-9 that eventually came back to haunt them.

Just like their great rivals Neptune are having a disastrous campaign with only one win and incoming coach Ciaran Kiveney has a job on his hands turning their season around.

The appointment of Athlone based Kiveney shocked many folk in the sport with no Super League coaching experience and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the hotseat.

Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell produced a dogged display to see off St Paul’s in Killarney 78-74.

Edel Thornton who this week is captaining the Irish Senior Women’s team in two international games had a slow start to the season by her standard.

In fairness Thornton has been through the mill with serious injuries and after her second ACL injury is not playing in the same rough and tumble manner.

Naturally when a player experiences bad injuries they tend to mind themselves on court but the Brunell faithful were reminded against St Paul’s that she is still a serious player when finishing with 21 points.

In the opening quarter St Paul’s backed by their loyal fans played explosive basketball and with American Tara Cousins looking a serious athlete deservedly commanded a 23-18 lead entering the second quarter.

On the restart Brunell played far better defence and the sides were tied at 36 points at the interval.

It was evident both teams had a game plan but with the Brunell American Maddie Cluse coming up with crucial baskets the northside club took a four- point lead into the fourth quarter.

Coming down the stretch both sides shot the lights out, but Thornton came good in the free throw department nailing crucial shots coming down the stretch in a period where 52 points was shared.

Another plus for Brunell was the 12- point contribution from Lauryn Homan as they can now set their sights on a home quarter final against Liffey Celtics on December 7.