It’s a season defining weekend for C&S UCC Demons in the men’s Premier League with two games in 24 hours to put their title hopes in their own hands.
The defending champions go to GCD Swords Thunder on Saturday for the first time since losing to them in the National Cup Semi-Final. Then on Sunday, cup champions and fellow table-toppers Templeogue come to the Mardyke for what's being billed as a title decider. Templeogue won their first meeting between the two sides at the start of the season to instantly establish their own title credentials.
“We’ve seen what happens against both of these teams when you play the basketball they want to play,” said Demons captain Kyle Hosford. “We certainly don’t want to repeat that.”
Demons player coach Colin O’Reilly says: “We’ll have to focus on Saturday’s game and then reevaluate in terms of knocks and illnesses.” Roy Downey is an injury concern, having hurt his ankle against Belfast Star while Ciaran O’Sullivan is struggling to shake of a virus.
Templeogue have struggled with their own injuries since winning their maiden National Cup title and have to go to Limerick to face UL Eagles a day before the trip to Cork. For Mark Keenan in means some delicate game management. For Eagles Coach Paul Kelleher, it’s just about trying to win a game.
“We’re working our rear ends off and growing up fast in this league,” said Kelleher. “We’ve left a couple of results behind us so we’re looking to give them a game this weekend.”
The regular season of the Women’s Premier League comes to a close this weekend. UL Huskies will avoid relegation if they can beat Maxol WIT Wildcats. If they slip up, Portlaoise Panthers can save themselves with a win at home to Courtyard Liffey Celtics on Monday.
