Basketball: Superleague National Cup finalLast December, UCC Demons coach Pat Price cast two American imports on the scrap heap, there names are irrelevant as they were mere blow-ins. The defending National Cup champions' season was threatening to implode after a run of abysmal Superleague results so rather than stick to his current roster Price made the hard call.

This is the American's seventh season in charge of the Demons. He had guided them to the Superleague crown in 2005 but more importantly, three cup titles in four years. The only one they missed out on was gobbled up Kieran Donaghy and the Tralee Tigers in 2005.

"We've had a lot of success with recruitment of players in the past. We needed something that just wasn't there. We at the club had a choice to make, a statement of our intent or accept this as just a bad season. The committee at the club said 'do whatever it takes'. The other players were willing to make the sacrifices.

"Their reaction proved the catalyst to our season improving thereafter."

Another American, Leshon Sheffield, was magnificent in the cup semi-final victory over St Paul's, Killarney. Just six foot, he is small in basketball terms but he can control a game in Irish basketball.

On his debut, he registered 29 points against the Tralee Tigers.

"He is not a vocal player but you immediately notice he is a winner," continues Price.

"It always starts with a big defence. He's got that. Also, he likes the big occasion as he brought Tarleton State to the NCAA Division Two finals. He also welcomes the expectations there are at a club like this."

The Demons are hoping their two key Irish players, Tim O'Halloran (back strain) and Shane Coughlan (influenza), recover sufficiently to feature on Sunday.

Without them the pressure shifts on to Michael Plichta, Niall Murphy and Benito Flores to deliver supporting roles in the face of a nicely-balanced Tigers line-up.

Dave Fanning has been an inspiration at point-guard this season for the Tigers and has combined with Wilder Auguste for a consistently high scoring return.

Factor in the magnificent form of Micheal Quirke under the boards allied to the return of Donaghy and the momentum factor has the Tigers coming in as slight favourites.

"Fanning seems to holding back sometimes in order to play a team game to keep everyone happy but when he decides to take control he's awesome," notes Tigers coach David Falvey.

"It's difficult to double team him as he can simply lay off to James Mooney. His outside scoring has been a real bonus. James is in on a Bosman as his dad hails from Clare."

Eventually we get around to the Donaghy factor. How much of an influence can it really be on quelling the Americans?

"Micheal Quirke will have to get the edge on big Plichta. We wouldn't be able to replace Micheal if Kerry take him too, and it looks like they will. But Kieran coming back has been a real bonus. Height, speed and strength, he has the lot.

"He keeps his hand in with us the whole time. He even picked up two games in Australia. Typical Kieran.

"Since his return he has constantly had a basketball in his hand. Shooting with James Mooney all the time.

"I had him at underage. He's a super fella. We know we can't compete with the GAA so it's great to have him for this game."

Will it be enough?

"Either way we don't let teams dictate to us."

Tralee look primed.