Champions Ballincollig one of the leading contenders for Super League glory again

Ballincollig will kick off the Men’s Super League season with a trip to play Limerick Celtics in a repeat of last season where they lost in this fixture.

It is well documented now that Ballincollig recovered their composure to complete a league and cup double as coach Ciaran O’Sullivan looks forward to another tricky encounter in their opening clash.

“Limerick Celtics are always tough opposition, and we will have to give them the required respect where I think our defence will be key if we are to get the all- important win,” said Ciaran.

This season Ballincollig have signed American Jaye Buckley and his much improved display against UCC in the Cork championship final was a major boost for his coach.

Presently Ballincollig are waiting for their second American to arrive and there is a strong possibility he will not make the opening game.

On the plus side Ballincollig have signed two good bosman players in Alex Belver and Izzy Moradu as last year’s star player Josh Steel is recovering from an operation and will not be available for a couple of months.

Adrian O’Sullivan, Keelan Cairns, and Dylan Corkery are all talented Irish players who will pose many teams problems in the coming months and they should open their campaign with a win.

Fresh from a Cork championship success over Neptune and UCC Demons Ballincollig look side on a mission for the coming season.

UCC Demons will have a new look side on the professional front with American Asanti Price and Luxembourg International Davy Rocha joining the squad.

The big new for Demons fans is the news that former American star Eligah Tillman is back in town and is sure to add some mettle to their defence.

Last season was a disappointing one for the Demons faithful as they failed to make the Super League play offs after winning the championship the previous season.

There was a cluster of problems as getting the right American combination proved almost impossible but to be fair choosing professionals is like throwing a dice as you do not how good they are until you see them in action.

After a successful few year’s coach Danny O’Mahony stepped down from the job and this year they surprisingly appointed his assistant Stewart Rodgers to the hotseat.

No matter who is at the helm for Demons there is pressure from the first game as there is expectation from all corners of the club.

Demons coaching staff is completed by the Barry brothers Jason and Jamie and as a group their first job will be to get discipline back into the team.

Last season Demons on more than one occasion fell foul of unsportsmanlike and technical fouls and that cannot continue in this campaign.

On Sunday Eanna are in town for the opening game and without preseason form to go on a highly competitive game is bound to give the Mardyke Arena the perfect start to the campaign.

Energywise Ireland Neptune begin their campaign on the road when they clash with UCD Marian at Belfield tomorrow.

Homegrown

This season Neptune have looked to their former Irish International Adam Drummond to try and get the club back to their former glory days.

There is little doubt just like their Cork rivals UCC Demons coaching at the top tier of Neptune adds that bit of pressure, but coach Drummond will have his brother Alan and Paul O’Brien helping to steady the ship.

Last season Neptune escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth and with so much work completed at their revamped stadium a better campaign is needed.

In their preseason games they had Americans Sam Smith and Kendall Taylor with a decent Bosman player in Jalen Hodge.

Sean McCarthy returns from his Stateside college stint and although outside shooting is not one of his best traits, he is a strong player going to the hoop.

Roy Downey is also back in the groove but Cian Heaphy possibly their best Irish player is still recuperating from his ACL injury.

The one guarantee you get when playing UCD Marian is good open basketball and with Ioannis Liapakis at the helm for the Dubliners they are sure to be ready for the Leesiders.