Huge weekend in the fight for SuperLeague survival for Cork clubs Neptune and Demons

Another crucial weekend in Men’s Super League for all three Cork clubs but in particular for Energywise Ireland Neptune and UCC Demons.

Demons have been ravaged with injuries in recent weeks and the loss of American Tamyrik Fields, Live Kivuvu and Daryl Cuff with long term injuries has ruled them for the remainder of the campaign.

Tomorrow, they travel to play Sligo All Stars where they will be looking for a win that will secure their Super League status next season.

In the case of Fields, he was scheduled to return back home this week to continue with his rehabilitation on a knee injury that necessitated surgery.

Fields did an okay job without hitting the heights he is capable of but in fairness he was a far better professional than Jarvis Doles who was a poor signing for the club.

Word from UCC Demons suggest there is a strong chance they will have a new American signing for the remainder of the season as they feel they are still in a vulnerable position in the relegation battle.

Looking at Sligo All Stars in their last trip to Cork they didn’t look a quality team but on their home terrain they are a different side who will have the backing of their fanatical fans.

In truth Demons problem is the number of turnovers they have given up to opposing teams this season and surely the penny must drop before it’s too late and they are playing division one basketball.

Energywise Ireland Neptune are in serious trouble of relegation if they lose tomorrow’s game against Tralee Warriors.

The Warriors are not a quality side but somehow, they have produced some stirring displays on their home court this season.

Neptune to be fair have been a huge disappointment and after parting with two coaches along the way their performances simply haven’t improved.

Americans Mike Hayes and Samuel Henderson are basically average and bosman Adon Gregoria has been a huge disappointment.

Losing Cian Heaphy was a huge blow and although the return of Roy Downey has helped, they are still a very disorganised unit.

Catalonian Nil Sabata is only available for their home games which is a strange arrangement and their 6’-9’ signing Eoin Nelson is only very average and no help to them at the post.

The Warriors Americans Irshard Hunte and Jordan Perkins are steady professionals, but this Tralee side lack quality in depth and if Neptune have the right attitude there is no reason why they cannot cause an upset.

Ballincollig are presently going great guns and they will be confident of taking the scalp of Killorglin that are another side in deep relegation trouble.

The basis of the Ballincollig side this season has been their professional trio of Latavioius Mitchell, Latrell Jossell and Josh Steel.

To be fair when they are in full flow Ballincollig are a serious outfit and player coach Ciaran O’Sullivan has done an excellent job along with his assistant Matt Hall.

Adrian O’Sullivan, Dylan Corkery and Keelan Cairns are steady and experienced Irish players who have made telling contributions all season.

Killorglin will come to the MTU Arena led by Cork born Jordan Blount who is a very talented player when in full focus.

The problem for Killorglin all season has been their tendency to run out of gas coming down the stretch and it would be a huge surprise if they managed to bring the points back over the county bounds.

In the Women’s Super League Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell are involved in a mouth-watering tie against Utility Trust St Paul’s on Sunday.

In the Women’s Super League, it’s a big weekend for both Career Decisions UCC Glanmire and Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell.

Brunell had a dreadful result last weekend when going down to Trinity Meteors and they will be hoping to finish the season on a high when they entertain joint leaders Utility Trust St Paul’s.

The Killarney were ambushed by Glanmire last weekend and will be hoping for a far better experience on Leeside.

If Brunell could get a win and Glanmire win at Cavan Eagles it would push them into the second place ahead of St Paul’s in what promises to be an interesting conclusion to the regular season.

Winless and relegated Fr Mathew’s conclude their season with a trip to Liffey Celtics.