`Huge' game for Cork rivals

Even if Neptune are now cruising towards the ESB Superleague title, there are still a few challenging games left in the remaining five weeks, and not least of all this evening's meeting with Cork rivals Esat Telecom Demons.

Currently six points behind in second place, the Demons have been enjoying an impressive run themselves in recent weeks and Neptune coach Gerry Fitzpatrick admits the extra significance of this game, to be broadcast live on TG4 (9.0).

"It's certainly one of those games where you don't have to worry about motivation," he says. "There is the history and tradition of rivalry between us, and as well as that, this is the first time in a long while when two Cork teams are in the top two places. It's a huge game for both sides, to put it mildly, but all that really matters for us is the two points."

Despite the six-point cushion at the top of the table, Fitzpatrick insists that his side can't afford to relax. "Absolutely not. Our philosophy all season has been to take every game as it comes, and we see this one as another necessary two points. Otherwise the players can start to change their thinking and focus, and we still have to win a few games yet."

Neptune are back on court tomorrow evening when they travel to Burger King Limerick, and another two points there means they can at least put the champagne on ice. Third-placed Denny Notre Dame, who missed their last real shot at the title when falling to Neptune last week, also have a double-header weekend by playing all-Dublin opposition, starting with Tolka Rovers this evening and Killester on Sunday.

In the women's Superleague, leaders Tolka Rovers will be looking to maintain their 15-game unbeaten league streak when they face Killester on Sunday. The Avonmore Wildcats would appear to be equally certain of bringing home the points from their visit to bottom-placed Crusaders.