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Jimmy Diggins with his Hall of Fame Award. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was an emotional night for a local legend who was honoured at the Tralee Magic Basketball Club Awards on Wednesday.
Jimmy Diggins has been involved in basketball in the town for around 55 years and he became the first inductee into the Tralee Magic Hall of Fame, to add to his Basketball Ireland Coaches Hall Of Fame recognition back in 2016.
It was just one of many awards dished out over the course of the evening in The Rose Hotel Lee Suite. The club has enjoyed another successful year in a number of age grades in the county, with players also selected for provincial and national teams.
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While all were lauded for their achievements, the biggest cheers (and standing ovations) were reserved for two club stalwarts — Jimmy Diggins for the Hall of Fame and Club Person of the Year Ann O’Shea.
John Sayers of Lee Strand presents the Club Person of the Year award to Ann O’Shea. Photo by Dermot Crean
In his acceptance speech, a clearly emotional Jimmy said he was honoured to receive the award and reflected on his time in the game in the town. He said it gave him immense pleasure to see his daughter and grandson are now involved with Magic.
“Basketball has been very, very good to me. I’ve travelled all over the world and met great people,” he said.
John Sayers presents a sponsorship cheque to Tralee Magic Basketball Club Chairperson John Dowling. Photo by Dermot Crean
In his address, Club Chairperson John Dowling praised Ann O’Shea for her amazing dedication to the club since it’s formation and the response from the crowd when she accepted the award showed the esteem in which she is held.
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John Dowling also commended the efforts of all the players and coaches involved in Tralee Magic and thanked their sponsors, especially Lee Strand and Sandy Feet Farm for their commitment to supporting the club.
Awards given out on the night were…
Academy/U10s received certificates
Team Mate of the Year – Holly O’Brien & Sean Heaslip
The Under 16 Girls. Photo by Dermot Crean
County League Winners – U16 Girls
Sophie Mitchell, Abby Crowley and Lily Bowler. Photo by Dermot Crean
County Representatives –
U14 Kerry team Abbie Crowley, Lily Mae Bowler, Sophie Mitchell
U17 Kerry team Lucy O’Donnell, Lucy O’Connor, Holly O’Brien
U17 Kerry team Sean Heaslip, Jamie Burke
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Ronan Hayes, Juvenile Player of the Year. Photo by Dermot Crean
Young club person of the year – Ronan Hayes
The Under 13 girls team. Photo by Dermot Crean
County League & Cup Winners – U13 Girls, U15 Girls, U18 Boys
The Under 15 girls. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Under 18 team. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Sandy Feet All Stars – Nessa Kirby, Sean Lynch, Sadhbh Dowling, Luke Gannon, Kelly Fitzgerald, Ronan Hayes, Aoife O’Connell, Michael Tansley
The Sandy Feet Farm All-Star team. Photo by Dermot Crean
Munster Academy Representatives – Conor McGibney, Ciara Costello, Priya O’Donovan
Irish International Representatives – Aivaras Uosis, Joshua Osayanrhion, Lucy O’Connor
Lee Strand All Stars – Clodagh Kennedy, Rían Tuohy, Sophie Mitchell, Johnny Dawson, Emily Flynn, Lucy O’Donnell, Ryne Ybanez
Club Person of the Year – Ann O’Shea
Jimmy Diggins with grandson Rian Tuohy, a member of the Lee Strand All Stars. Photo by Dermot Crean
Hall of Fame Inductee – Jimmy Diggins
Club Chairperson John Dowling with Hall of Fame Recipient Jimmy Diggins and Club Person of the Year award winner Ann O’Shea. Photo by Dermot Crean
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