There will be little time for bank holiday relaxation in the Southern Conference of the ESB Superleague this weekend, with Neptune, Limerick and Tralee all involved in double-header clashes. The big Cork derby game takes place in the UCC Arena on Friday night, with Demons hoping to reverse their losses of last season. A superb performance against Gleneagle Lakers last weekend to keep Demons undefeated this season, might favour the south-siders for victory on this occasion.
James Clinton played little part in Demons' victory last weekend, sitting out much of the second half, with his fitness causing problems since his arrival in Cork. Clinton’s replacement ahead of the all important derby game is a possibility, with Belgian Mark Michiels struggling with an elbow injury.
Neptune will be hoping to remain injury free to compete in their second game of the weekend, travelling to Limerick for a Monday afternoon clash. Limerick’s Randy Fletcher continues to struggle with a groin injury that puts him in doubt ahead of the weekend. With four Superleague points up for grabs and two very tough games this weekend, Coach Tom Hehir could do without the headache of an injured American and may be forced to make a decision on Fletcher’s future with the club.
Limerick travel to Tralee on Saturday night before Monday’s clash against Neptune. A chest infection has hindered Rikardo Leonard since the season start, keeping him out of training for the last two weeks. While Leonard has made court time, he is yet to make the scoreboard for Tigers and remains in doubt ahead of the weekend. Following Tralee’s home game against Limerick on Saturday night, they travel to Waterford on Monday, where they are yet to record a victory.
Waterford Crystal will have to show significant improvement on last weekend if they are to succeed against either of the Kerry teams this weekend. Waterford are yet to record a victory this season, with both Dean Kavanagh and Joe Malone not showing their usual form. Jeff Wiersma failed to impress last weekend, while Travis Jackson is recovering from one of the many bugs circulating within the Superleague.
Meanwhile in Killarney, Coach Mark Scannell has re-signed 6’5” Tyrone Levet, who averaged over 26 points and 9 rebounds per game last year.
In the North Conference MDS Star will be without Adrian Fulton for their Saturday night game against UCD Marian. Fulton has departed for a one-week tour of the US with St Malachy’s U16 team.
Without a victory between them, either Tolka Rovers or Notre Dame will take a step up the league table when they play each other on Friday night. Tolka Rovers will be without 6’7” Dan Fynes this weekend, but have registered Dublin Division two player, Stephen Maloney, ahead of the weekend. Notre Dame have a full squad ahead of the weekend, with Ron Bruton under pressure to up his performance.
An impressive Killester side are at home to St Vincent’s on Saturday night, in what is destined to be a close encounter. John Kelleher was forced to sit out last weekend with an old injury to his thumb causing problems. Kelleher has been unable to train this week and is in doubt ahead of the weekend.
There will be no Women’s Superleague this weekend, with Ger Tarrant holding further trials for the Irish Senior Women’s squad. The Irish Senior Women are currently in preparation for the 2004 European Championship qualifiers.
Filed by Johnny Proby
