Fulton defiant despite 24-hour fixture nightmare
BELFAST Star coach Adrian Fulton has hit out at Basketball Ireland’s decision to force the club to play two away games in separate competitions in the space of 24 hours this weekend.
Star travel to Galway tomorrow evening before playing Maree away in the National Cup on Saturday afternoon (4pm) and must then immediately make their way to their hotel in Killarney before meeting Killorglin in the All Ireland Superleague at 3pm on Sunday.
The decision left everyone at club baffled and, despite making their case to the governing body, the Star men were told they had to fulfil the fixtures.
“I just cannot understand why the fixtures have been organised like this,” said Fulton.
“Since when do you play in two different competitions in the space of 24 hours? We’re a team made up of guys who have full-time jobs as well as a couple of professionals and we’re being asked to play tough games on the road which involves a serious amount of travelling
— I just don’t get it.
“We flagged up our concerns but it didn’t make any difference so we have to focus on the challenge and I would like to think that my players are more determined than ever to go and put in two big performances.
“It’s going to be tough but I will just take it as it comes and we keep our focus on the cup game against Maree before we can think about the away game against Killorglin.”
Star have been hit hard by the injury to American professional Delaney Blaylock, who will be out for at least three weeks.
Following an MRI scan, it was confirmed that he had suffered a hairline fracture of his right knee in last Saturday’s All Ireland Superleague victory over Moycullen.
The Belfast men had feared the worst, believing the talented 22-year-old could have been out for the season so Fulton admits there was a sense of relief at the news. While they will be without Blaylock this weekend, Star will see Swedish ace Dave Jallow make his debut.
“It could have been a lot worse for Delaney so we’re just happy that he will be returning next month but obviously it has given us a lot to think about and I will only have one session to work on technical issues about how we set up without him,” added Fulton.
“You just don’t simply replace someone like Delaney because he brings so much to the court, including 20-25 points a game which now have to be found from somewhere else.
“There’s no doubt every player in the squad will have to step up 10 per cent this weekend and we are going to need good scores from guys like Keelan Cairns, Aidan Quinn (left) and Jallow who will be having a baptism of fire.”
Fulton will also need two potent displays from 17-year-old son CJ if they are to come away with double header delight.
“If we could get the two wins this weekend it would be a massive boost to our confidence and give us great momentum,” said Fulton.
THE final round of the 2019 World Superbike Championship takes place today, tomorrow and Saturday in the unique desert setting under floodlights around the Losail Circuit in Qatar.
Although already crowned the record five-time world champion, Jonathan Rea will not be letting his competitive edge slip as looks to help land Kawasaki the 2019 Manufacturers Award.
The 32-year-old said: “I can’t believe it’s the end of another season and, even though we were able to achieve the target we set at the beginning of the year, there is still a lot to play for this weekend.
“It’s something really special (racing under floodlights), because you feel at one with the bike as there are no external distractions in your line of sight.”
After going 2-1-1 in his three races at the recent meeting in Argentina, Rea is looking for more of the same in the Qatar desert.
“I felt really competitive with the bike in Argentina and we really worked well as a team. The target as always will be to go out and win races. It has been a real dream season to date.”
Rea will be trying to add to his 14 wins this season, but faces competition from rivals Alvaro Bautista, Chaz Davies and Independent Riders champion Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Eugene Laverty has his final rides for Team Go Eleven Ducati before moving to the factory BMW squad for 2020 and the Toomebridge man will be looking to at least replicate his finish in the second race in Argentina, where he finished a fine seventh.
Elsewhere, the 42nd Sunflower Trophy meeting at Bishopscourt gets underway tomorrow morning with five races, including the first Superbike later in the afternoon.
The promoting Hillsborough Club have secured a stellar line up of competitors that includes last years winner Richard Cooper, circuit lap record holder Christian Iddon, Harry Truelove and Richard Kerr, along with local USBK riders including champion Carl Phillips, Ali Kirk, Nico Mawhinney, Gerard Kinghan, Charles Stuart, Jeremy McWilliams and Eugene McGlinchey.