Conor Meany: Demons' biggest challenge now is between the ears
In their minds, UCC Demons should be facing Tralee this weekend, not Neptune. They must trust that they are number one seed for a reason and just play to their strengths. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane
It doesn’t particularly sit well with me that we are replaying a playoff game. There was an error in the course of the game last week, but at the same time it wasn’t massive and both teams had plenty of time and opportunities to win the game. I don’t think Neptune lost last week because of an issue on the table, more blame lies with their American getting needlessly ejected.
Regardless of my thoughts, a replay is where we are, with Demons and Neptune facing off for the fourth time this year. Rivalries are built on moments and controversies and this is another chapter in the decorated history of the Cork derby.
Demons won by seven last week and came up with the big plays when needed down the stretch. I don’t think either team will approach this much differently than last week, but will the referees? Reffing a derby between fierce rivals, in a packed Mardyke, isn’t easy, and it’s further complicated by Elijah Tillman’s physical dominance over the Neptune team.
There were a lot of unsportsmanlike calls last week, which are hard to judge off the stream, but fans on both sides seemed to feel some calls were unnecessary in an otherwise clean, competitive game. I don’t envy the referees this week, as they need to find the balance between control and letting it flow.
This is a rare playoff second chance for a team who, as eighth seeds, weren’t expected to win anyway. Last week they had a season’s best performance from Chance Hunter who kept them in the game with 35 points. Can he produce like that again? We will see. Nils Sabata gave some productive minutes, and I’d like to see him earlier for Neptune, although Jaksa Sola was also very good. Tamyrik Fields is the big x-factor for Neptune. Last week I thought his first technical was harsh, but then he almost cost his team by completely losing his head. He should consider himself lucky to be playing this week. That said, he’s a matchup issue for Demons and has a real opportunity to respond and be a deciding factor this week. Neptune need to rebound well and then run the floor to try and have a 5 on 4 advantage as Tillman trails the play. A big performance by Roy Downey, Darragh O’Sullivan or Cian Heaphy would also be huge.
Demons have been consistent all season and will approach this game in the usual way. Patrick Robinson was brilliant in the first half last week with 18, then disappeared for a lot of the second half. He has been very good this year and Demons need him at his best. Elijah did a good job last week and was central to a late run, alongside Kyle Hosford. Tillman did settle at times for tough contested shots and Demons need to get him position whenever they can. The biggest factor for Demons will be between their two ears. In their minds, they should be facing Tralee not Neptune. The whole saga has been a distraction. Danny and his team can't carry that into Sunday, must trust that they are number one seed for a reason and just play to their strengths. Easier said than done after a week like this.
A replay of last year’s league final between two experienced Dublin rivals has somehow gone completely under the radar. Eanna won the league final convincingly, while Killester easily won this year’s Cup semi-final. The teams have split the season series in the league and now it comes down to a game in the IWA on Saturday night.
With experienced players like Mark Reynolds and Isaac Westbrooks possibly playing their last game, there is so much to watch. Killester haven’t yet reached the lofty heights achieved in the cup, as Paul Dick works himself back into game shape post-injury. Killester’s best is probably the best in the country, but peak Eanna match up brilliantly.
Eanna have several routes to win this game, with different players capable of 20 points on a night. Killester’s big three are more critical with Dick, Harrell and Dasher all needing strong games for Killester to win.
I hate the narrative of whoever wants it more, but at the same time defending a league title is so hard because of that extra desperation missing. Given how last year’s league final went and Killester’s desperation for the title I favour the home team slightly. Hopefully, it’s a classic.
A rematch of the cup final, as Liffey Celtics try to dethrone last year’s league champions Killester. Since the cup final, Killester have beaten Liffey convincingly, but this should be different with so much on the line. Similar to the men, Killester have three big performers who need to play well in Mimi Clarke, Sam Halby and Ieva Bagdanaviciene. Halby has been brilliant in recent weeks, but in the cup final, Liffey contained her well. If Halby gets going and it’s a high-scoring game, it will be advantage Killester. Liffey had a post-cup slump and have been building back to these playoffs. They lost at the semi-final stage last year, and they are desperate to get over the line. They are at home, and I think they will have just enough to win, especially if they get production from their Americans.
I doubt Meteors were prepared for a home semi-final of the league against a team whose best professional has just left to go play in Australia. Suddenly, there’s pressure on the young squad, a very different proposition than a shot to nothing away to Wildcats, which was expected. St Paul's have beaten Meteors in Dublin in the cup and despite losing Alex Wittinger they still have two Americans and will feel they have another win in them. There’s not much between them, but I would expect the home team to win narrowly as they are the more settled team and have their ideal five together. A big factor will be St. Paul's mindset. They are playing with house money now and have a brilliant opportunity ahead of them. Have they that thirst for more even without Wittinger? Whoever wins will be a major underdog in the final, but winning the league isn’t beyond reach.
