Mark Keenan says Travelodge Swords Thunder should have no fear when facing up to Blue Demons this Friday night.

The Fingal side meet C&S UCC Demons in the Men’s National Basketball Cup semi-finals at the Mardyke Arena but veteran coach Keenan has backed the Dubliners to put it up to their illustrious hosts.

“Swords know what the environment is going to be like,” current Templeogue coach Keenan told Oisin Langan on Newstalk’s Monday Rewind podcast.

“The key [will be] who on the Swords team can contain Colin O’Reilly for Demons. That’s going to be huge. And how influential can Isaac Westbrooks be.”

In the earlier semi-final at the Mardyke, Keenan fancies his former side UL Eagles to shrug off their poor league form and overcome UCD Marian.

Listen to the full interview via the Monday Rewind podcast (46 minutes 54 seconds in):