'We have adjusted well and all in all it's been very positive' - Limerick Celtics Head Coach Tony Hehir

LIMERICK Celtics Men's Head Coach Tony Hehir says he is happy with how his side have adapted to the Domino's Super League in what is the club's first season in the league in a decade.

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The Celtics got off to a flying start with a one-point win over Munster rivals Ballincollig but injury to a key player in Austin Rotroff threw a spanner in the works for Hehir and co. early on into the season. 

"I thought we started really well with that opening round win but we suffered a set-back shortly after losing Austin Rotroff to a MCL injury and that threw us off a bit, we had some very close losses after that.

"Zach Hudson had come in then and we had to change our style of play around a little bit but I thought we bounced back really well both in the league and in the cup. I think we're starting to play some really good basketball. Preparation is key and when you lose a player after two games, it takes a while for everything to get back into sync."

Hehir admits that this season's Super League is the most competitive he has ever seen, with little points separating those at the top and in the middle of the table.

"It looks like this is the strongest Super League season ever. You look at the likes of UCC Demons, a fantastic team and they are sitting at the bottom of the league. It's definitely looks like the most competitive season that I can remember and if we can get a few wins, we'll definitely jump up the table."

Hehir and his team are also preparing for a Super league cup semi-final in Cork next month as they take on Ballincollig. Hehir states that the cup is 'a very special competition.'

"The cup is a very special competition. It gains a lot of media and public attention. If you can get to the semi-finals in Cork, which we have, it's probably the biggest weekend in basketball.

"You have three or four arenas in Cork that are packed out. It's a festival of basketball and we're focused on going one step further and getting to Tallaght two weeks later. 

"We're definitely progressing as a team and we know how tough a challenge Ballincollig will be but we're focused on our own performance and getting better every week."

Overall, Hehir says that his young team have adapted well to the demands of Super League basketball and states that he is happy with the week on week progression of his side. 

"It's our first year playing Super League basketball. A lot of teams can go up to the Super League and really struggle. Some of the games have been really tough on us but we've been in every game. Some of them we've lost in triple overtime on the buzzer and things but the lads are working hard and they're getting every week and that's the main focus 

"We're a young team and it's hard to know if you're up to that level without having played at that level before. You could be well in a game in Super League basketball but if you're not careful, that game can get away from you in the fourth quarter. I think we've done a really god job in adjusting to the Super League.

"The players we have are well capable of playing at this level but it's just about finding that level of consistency in games and over the course of the season but as a team and as a bunch of young lads, I think they've done really well. They've put Limerick basketball back on the map for Super League basketball, this is the first time in a decade that the Celtics have been playing in the Super League. 

"We also have a cup semi-final in Cork to look forward to and that's a main stage game. They are the biggest games you can play in and for Limerick to have the Limerick Celtics there is fantastic.

"We're happy with how things are going. Had Austin not gotten injured I think we would have a few more wins and we would be a bit higher up in the table but injuries and sport go hand-in-hand, unfortunately it wasn't to be with Austin this season which is unfortunate because he is a great guy and a great player. We've bounced back well from that and I think we have adjusted well and all in all it's been very positive," Hehir concluded.