UCC Demons and Neptune must get on track after Super League break

It's a huge weekend in the Domino’s Men’s Super League for the two Cork basement sides Energywise Ireland Neptune and UCC Demons.

First into action tomorrow are Energywise Ireland Neptune when they welcome Tralee Warriors to the Neptune Stadium (6.30pm).

Just like their neighbours, UCC Demons Neptune have signed a new American in their bid to keep their Super League status.

To be fair Neptune have been pretty awful this season but new recruit Samuel Henderson, a 6' 1" guard, should give them the artillery they so badly need. Henderson played with Templeogue last season and although the Dublin side were relegated, he did put in some good shooting displays.

Cameron Glover who was released can count himself unlucky as he was putting up the numbers but to no avail.

The second Neptune American Mike Hayes, brought in by new coach Ciaran Kiveney, is very questionable and has lots of improving to do in order for his team to get back to winning ways.

The major problem with Neptune has been the lack of numbers from their Irish brigade of players, who are simply not at the races.

Neptune’s best Irish player is Cian Heaphy by a country mile, and he is sadly sidelined with injury. 

He is badly needed for his team to have any chance of avoiding the dreaded drop.

Luckily for Neptune this is a game they have a chance of winning because this Tralee side are not a team of yesteryear that represented this great club.

Gone are the days when you had the leadership skills of Kieran Donaghy and Michael Quirke but they are still decent. Judging by their cup win over Killester they will pose Neptune problems.

DEEP TROUBLE

UCC Demons are another club in deep trouble and with the Mardyke Arena unavailable they have switched Sunday’s home game against Sligo All Stars to the GCU Arena at Gurranabraher.

The Sunday’s Well club took the opportunity to make changes during the International and National Cup break with Americans Shariff Black and Jarvis Doles surplus to requirements. Demons will give Tamyrik Fields and Jordan Washington debuts and a huge improvement is expected from this duo.

Fields is no stranger to Irish basketball as he played with Belfast Star and Neptune in the last couple of seasons.

When Fields played with Star in his first season, he was unstoppable, but his form dipped at the start of last season and he finished the campaign with fellow Cork side Neptune.

When Fields is focused on court, he is a very talented player, but he tends to have lapses in concentration. Demons will be hoping that will not happen for the remainder of the campaign.

The biggest worry for Demons is the poor form of their Irish players but for the loyal fans, they will be hoping this is the start of their revival. Sligo are an average side but are capable of mixing it with the best on their best days but surely Demons will get the job done.

Ballincollig, fresh from their epic cup win over Belfast Star, are on the road over the county bounds when they face Killorglin.

The Village outfit are on a nine-game winning run and although American Latavious Mitchell didn’t produce his best basketball in the cup win he still has major skills in his locker.

Killorglin were defeated by UCD Marian at home and with Jordan Blount getting fouled out coming down the stretch it possibly cost the Kerry side a place in the final four.

Ballincollig coach Ciaran O’Sullivan has experienced some tough battles with Killorglin over the years and will be under no illusions of the basketball they are capable of producing on their home court.

Mitchell will be expected to return to form and if the Cork side play the type of defence they are capable of, should secure their 10th win on the bounce.