Ballincollig against Neptune is standout basketball fixture of the weekend

It's another exciting weekend in the Domino’s Men’s Super League with the Cork derby between Ballincollig and Energywise Ireland Neptune topping the bill at the MTU Arena tomorrow (4pm).

It was a weekend to forget for Cork sides last weekend with all three at the end of defeats that makes this derby game so important particularly for Neptune who are 0/2.

Looking at Neptune for the first time this season last weekend they look a side well short of championship winning material.

Granted the injury to Bosman Jalen Hodge didn’t help their cause as he only played 20 minutes and amassed a total of six points.

Looking at the Neptune American professionals Sam Smith and Kendall Taylor they look ordinary although I feel Smith will get better.

In the case of Taylor, he needs to make a bigger impression on court and no doubt his performances in the coming weeks starting with their derby clash with Ballincollig will be monitored.

The one plus for Neptune has been the form of Sean McCarthy who plays the game with his heart on his sleeve and his 29 points in 29 minutes of action against Limerick Celtics is testament to that fact.

Discipline will need to improve at Neptune as they picked up a couple of technical fouls in their home loss to Limerick Celtics and more leadership in that department will be needed from their coaching staff.

Ballincollig’s 29 point loss at Limerick Eagles was a shock to the system for the champions but player coach Ciaran O’Sullivan was rather philosophical in summing up the loss.

“I don’t make excuses when we lose but we had one American in Jaye Buckley playing with an injury that saw him restricted to two points.

“Our new American signing Derrick McDonald didn’t arrive until a few hours before the game on a delayed flight and naturally didn’t make an impact,” said O’Sullivan.

The absence of Keelan Cairns was also felt but coach O’Sullivan believes his side will return to their best form.

“We have to get back on the horse but let me add Limerick Eagles are a decent side that will upset a few teams and we just have to learn from this loss and move on to get a result against Neptune,” added Ciaran.

Unlike previous years this derby game will have special significance to both sides and Ballincolllig will need a fully fit squad to get the all- important win.

UCC Demons inept display in their loss to Sligo All Stars has certainly set the alarm bells ringing at the Sunday’s Well club.

The performance didn’t a resemble Super League teams that have represented this great club at this level for many years.

New coach Stewart Rodgers now finds himself under serious pressure to get his team playing the type of basketball that will make them feared both home and away.

Surely any coach appointed to this team would have spotted that a point guard was needed in the squad as they have nobody that can play this position with confidence.

A point guard in my book is the conductor of the orchestra and presently Demons are struggling big time.

The only way Demons were going to get the missing piece in the jigsaw was to sign an American who plays that position but instead coach Rodgers went for Asanti Price a guard forward who is a poor shooter and passer.

Surely Demons coaching staff didn’t think signing Elijah Tillman was going to save their season as this professional will struggle if players fail to find him at the post.

On Sunday championship favourites Belfast Star are in town and if Demons don’t get their act together it could be a dismal afternoon at the Mardyke Arena (3pm).

In the Women’s Super League Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell host Killester in what should a cracking game at the GCU Arena (2pm).

Brunell were impressive in their 88-70 win over Limerick Celtics but Killester despite going down 80-64 have a good American in Isabellah Middleton and will need to be restricted.

Career Decisions coach Mark Scannell will be pleased his side are going in the right direction following their comfortable 85-59 win over Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers.

Glanmire lost their narrowly lost their opening game to the champions Trinity Meteors but with coach Scannell having a quality American pairing Emani Jenkins (34) and Tasia Jordan (18) they are bound to pose teams problems in this campaign.

Another plus for Glanmire was the return of stalwart Aine McKenna, who is entering her 20th season playing at the top tier of Irish basketball which is an outstanding achievement for this lady.