National League: Division 1 South

Scotts Lakers v UCC Demons

Saturday at 7.30pm

Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre

The National League season is in full swing by this stage but from a Killarney perspective, something has been missing. With the Killarney Sports & Leisure Centre being used as a vaccination facility, the Lakers have been without a proper home for the first month of the campaign. Their two “home” fixtures to date have been staged 25km away in Castleisland. Both matches have ended in defeat.

All that will change this Saturday night as the St Paul’s senior team make their long-awaited return to the venue known locally as the Aura, or the Auracle (a nod to the Golden State Warriors’ Oracle Arena, traditionally one of the loudest venues in the NBA).

The Aura has seen some incredible nights since the Lakers returned to top-level basketball in 2017. Now, after a long layoff due to the pandemic, the club are hoping that supporters will return in their droves to see a new-look team that is packed with young, local talent.

Imports Ben Miller (Canada), Emilian Grudov (Bulgaria) and Rui Saravia (Portugal) will lead the way alongside Killarney men Mark O’Shea and Paul Clarke, but the rest of the squad is comprised of talented teenagers like Jamie O’Sullivan and Senan O’Leary.

Standing in their way this weekend are the UCC Demons, an imposing side who have won their opening four league games in convincing fashion. The Cork outfit also made light work of Ulster University in the first round of the President’s Cup with Tala Fam Thiam and American Andre Kennedy splitting 50 points in a 88-61 win.

It will certainly be a tough match-up for a Lakers team still finding their feet but head coach Jarlath Lee believes that last weekend’s 94-59 victory over WIT has given them a timely lift.

"We needed the confidence boost,” Lee admitted after the Lakers picked up their first win in four attempts. “We should have won our first game but complacency creeped in. I’m delighted that we never let that happen tonight.

“Ben Miller displayed great leadership and decision-making, especially in the second half. Senan O’Leary showed why I have him as a starter at the age of 17 by scoring 16 points, and Jamie O Sullivan, another teenager, had 20 points.

"We’re building for the future and we are taking the right steps. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. Daniel Carroll was on the scoresheet again with four points, but I was mainly impressed with his defence. Mark Sheehan is always positive, always ready. A great kid to be a part of any team.

“But we will get back to work on Monday night and focus on Demons. It’s a home game so we'd really love a big crowd and loud fans to help us."

The club have reminded supporters that season and patron tickets are now available from any club officer.