UCC Demons’ hopes of retaining the Nivea For Men’s SuperLeague this season will be tested to the hilt when they travel to UL Eagles in Saturday’s semi-final clash, while Killester continue their treble hopes at home to DCU Saints.
UL Eagles are set for a rare semi final appearance but they must get past reigning champions UCC Demons if they are to go one step further and earn a place in the finals.
The Eagles have enjoyed a perfect record over Demons to date this season with a win in December (81-73) before completing the double in January with a 91-83 success.
‘Demons had a great away quarter-final win in Belfast on Sunday,’ said Eagles head coach Tony Hehir. ‘They are a very experienced team and our league games to-date have come down to the wire.
‘Our defensive intensity will be a huge part in the outcome of this game,’ captain of the Eagles Neil Campbell said: ‘The team are really looking forward to the semi final game with Demons and I expect a really hard game. We will be going flat out to win this one and go on to the league final.’
Eagles will have to keep close tabs on Demons’ US star Joshua Johnson, who contributed 36 points in their win over Belfast Star, while Shane Coughlan made a timely return after a six week lay-off to help his side.
‘The Eagles have beaten us twice this year in the league and we must bring our A game to Limerick this Saturday to have a chance of upsetting them,’ said Demons head coach Luke D'Alessio.
DCU Saints stole the headlines in the quarter-finals after inflicting a 96-84 win over a highly fancied Neptune and they will require a similar display if they are to go one better and see off National Cup champions Killester in their own backyard.
Saints have already enjoyed beating Killester this season, courtesy of a 75-72 win in Clontarf on the final day of the regular season, but Killester demolished the Saints 94-66 when they met in the opening weeks of the season.
‘We beat them unexpectedly two weeks ago but they will be a different proposition this weekend,’ said DCU Saints head coach Vinny O’Keefe. ‘They had already won the Northern Conference so maybe their eyes were on the play-off’s. Our progress has been down to our defensive intensity for the past two weeks. Since the last four or five games it’s been coming along and the guys have really stepped up. If we can show the determination we showed in Cork then we have a chance.’
Saints have a number of worries including Eoin Quill (knee) and Mike Trimmer (back) but both are expected to be fit in time for the short trip to Clontarf.
‘We want to make amends after letting it slip against DCU Saints in our last encounter,’said Killester head coach Mark Keenan. ‘DCU have been playing well but we have also put in strong performances including over win over UL Eagles.’
Meanwhile, in the semi finals of the IrishSport.TV Women’s Superleague, regular season champions Team Montenotte Hotel Cork host Killester, while DCU Mercy and UL clash in DCU on Sunday.
Team Montenotte claimed the title last season in impressive fashion but face a tricky Killester outfit, who have made a massive improvement this season, earning eight wins, seven better than last term.
However, the stats don’t make pretty reading for the Dubliners, with their previous meetings with Montenotte this season resulting in two heavy defeats.
‘It will be a tough game and we have to get over the loss last weekend to DCU,’ said Team Montenotte head coach Mark Scannell. ‘Killester have had a good season and they have nothing to lose. We played well against them in Cork and Dublin this season and we will need to re produce those sort of displays this weekend. They have a few big game players and they have nothing to lose so that will make them very tricky opponents.’
For Killester head coach Mark Grennell, it’s great to be involved in the all important play-off’s: ‘It’s been a while since we have been involved this deep into the season. There is a great buzz in the camp and the first time we have been full strength all season. We understand the task ahead, we are playing the leagues best in their gym but we are also aware that it’s a once off game where maybe form goes out the window.’
The meeting of DCU Mercy and UL promises to be a close affair after the sides played out a tight contest in this year’s National Cup semi-final, which saw Mercy emerge before going on to win their first ever National Cup.
On top of that cup success, DCU also secured two wins in the regular season over UL, while they completed their regular season campaign with a win over Team Montenotte Hotel Cork.
‘It was good to sign off with a win last weekend against Montenotte but it means nothing now and all focus is on getting past a very strong challenge in UL,’ said Mercy head coach Mark Ingle. ‘We have had some good results against them this season but it’s a one off again and those earlier wins won’t mean a thing if we can’t get a win at the weekend.’
Rachel Vanderwal has made a big impression for UL, averaging 22.2 points per game this season, while DCU Mercy can rely on the likes of the inspirational Lindsey Peat as they look to go one step closer to securing the double this season.
‘DCU is a tough place to go but we have worked hard over the past two weeks,’ said UL head coach James Weldon. ‘We were disappointed with our last display away to Team Montenotte Hotel Cork and we cannot afford another repeat performance against a quality side like DCU.
‘DCU can hurt you all over the court,’ he added. ‘The likes of Sarah Woods is evidence of this and he showed her importance in their win over Montenotte.’
