Basketball Ireland weekend round-up

UCC Demons overcame a tough Belfast Star outfit on Sunday to earn their place in next weekend's Nivea For Men's SuperLeague semi-final, while DCU Saints shocked Neptune on Saturday night to secure their passage into the last four.

UCC Demons captain Shane Coughlan was delighted after returning to help his charges see off Belfast Star 83-79 and set-up a mouth watering semi-final meeting with UL Eagles next weekend.

The vastly experienced Cork man returned from a shoulder injury as Demons inflicted a fourth defeat on Star this season and more importantly secure a league semi-final clash away to Southern Conference champions UL Eagles.

Coughlan said: 'It's hard to beat any team four times.

'We had a good win against them last weekend but we were certainly wary given each game against Star has been extremely tight this season.

'The National Cup final loss to Killester was a bitter pill to take this season, but we didn't dwell on the loss too much, got our heads down and started to get results.

'Star was a tough draw particularly away from home but we are relieved we ground out a result.

'UL will be another hugely difficult test, they have been outstanding in the league but we have had some good battles with them.

'They are holding the aces at the moment but if we maintain the level of fighting spirit we showed in Belfast then we certainly have a chance.'

Demons' US star Joshua Johnson maintained his recent good form with 36 points, while Scott Summersgill and Fergal Toner did the damage for Star with a combined tally of 49 points.

DCU Saints Head Coach Vinny O'Keefe is relishing a North Dublin semi-final play-off with Killester after his side stunned Neptune 96-84 in Saturday's quarter-final clash.

The Saints booked a glamour tie with the National Cup champions in Clontarf next week after a phenomenal display away to the Cork giants.

O'Keefe said: 'I am delighted for all the players.

'Their commitment has been outstanding and the achievement in getting to this stage of the competition cannot be underestimated.

'Saints and Killester is a fantastic rivalry, it should be a fantastic occasion and something to saviour.

'We have been playing well recently and putting in really good displays over the past four weeks without getting the results.

'We did secure our play-off place by beating Killester, but they had the Northern Conference already secured and they will be a different beast next weekend.

'This is the first time we have won in Neptune in years but we have to forget that now and hope we can show the same belief, commitment and passion against Killester.'

Neptune's American Juwann James contributed another high scoring display of 43 points, but Saints were proving unstoppable with Pat Glover controlling the floor.

O'Keefe's Saints dominated the third quarter with Irish international Emmet Donnelly and Mike Trimmer showing their invaluable experience to the cause.

Meanwhile, in the IrishSport.TV Women's SuperLeague, DCU Mercy ended Team Montenotte Hotel Cork's 100% record courtesy of a 67-62 win on Sunday.

However, both sides had already secured home advantage in the semi-final play-offs with DCU set for a home clash with UL, while Killester must make the trip to Cork to face Team Montenotte Hotel Cork.

In another tight contest between the two sides DCU held a 31-20 lead at the interval before securing the points with Sarah Woods top scoring on 16 points.

Mercy Head Coach Mark Ingle said: 'Considering there was nothing at stake, it turned out to be quite a feisty and entertaining game.

'We have a big game next weekend and hopefully the win will stand to us as we get ready to face another good side in UL.'