BASKETBALL:BORD GÁIS Neptune head coach Mark Scannell is esperate to atone for last weekend's heartbreaking loss to 11890 Killester when they take on DCU Saints in the Nivea For Men's SuperLeague on Sunday.
Their last outing saw the Cork giants suffer a one-point loss in overtime to Killester, which leaves them trailing in the race to finish top of the Southern Conference.
Neptune now trail leaders UCC Demons by a point and having played a game more, their hopes of achieving home advantage in the play-off semi-finals appear slim.
Instead, a second place finish in the conference is likely to see them having to negotiate a quarter-final clash with UCD Marian, who will finish third in the Northern Conference.
A win on Sunday is a must against DCU Saints, something they haven’t managed to do this season, if they are to keep their hopes of catching fierce rivals Demons alive.
“It was a huge blow to lose last weekend in the manner we did,” said Scannell.
“It is now not in our own hands. A good sign is that we showed we can go to Killester and compete but very disappointing that we came out on the losing end.
“We have to put it behind us now,” he added. “DCU is a must win game and gives us the opportunity to keep the challenge up ahead of our game with UCC Demons next week.”
Elsewhere, Demons will face Belfast Star twice in the space of as many days, while Moycullen and UCD Marian host 11890 Killester and cup champions UL Eagles respectively.
In the Nivea Women’s Superleague, DCU Mercy will face two games this weekend, with their game with capital rivals 11890 Killester followed by a clash with Ulster Rockets a day later.
Meteors have the tough challenge of trying to halt UL’s winning run, which will be 31 straight victories if they win on Sunday.
Waterford Wildcats make the trip to Singleton’s Super Valu Brunell, hoping to maintain their Play-Off charge, while Liffey Celtics host Oblate Dynamos.
FIXTURES: Saturday: Nivea for Men's SuperLeague: Moycullen v Killester, NUIG Kingfisher, 7pm; UCD Marian v UL Eagles, UCD Sports Centre, 7:10; Belfast Star v UCC Demons, DLS Anderstown, 7:15. Nivea Women's SuperLeague: Killester v DCU Mercy, IWA, 9pm; Liffey Celtics v Oblate Dynamos, Leixlip Amenities Centre, 7:30. Sunday: Nivea for Men's SuperLeague: DCU Saints v Bord Gáis Neptune, DCU Sports Complex, 6pm; Belfast Star v UCC Demons, UUJ, 3pm. Nivea Women's SuperLeague: DCU Mercy v Ulster Rockets, DCU Sports Complex, 2pm; Brunell v Waterford Wildcats, Parochial Hall, 2:45; Meteors v UL, Coláiste Eoin/Iosagáin, 3pm
