PREVIEW: Big Day For Tralee Basketball As St Brendan’s Bid For National Glory

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BASKETBALL fever is beginning to build once more in Tralee.

Leading the charge are St Brendan’s who will play in the Men’s Intermediate National Cup Final at the mecca of Irish basketball, the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.

Continued below…

St Brendans Basketball Team. Photo from St Brendans Basketball Facebook.

St Brendans Basketball Team at Moyderwell gym last week. Photo from St Brendan’s Basketball Facebook

It’s a long time coming for St Brendan’s. 2001 was the last time the club made the trip to Tallaght. An experienced head however is Kieran Donaghy, who has played the area many times both with Ireland and Tralee Tigers.

“A lot of these guys haven’t played up there before, so I’ll try and help them along and bring them through process,” said Kieran Donaghy, speaking at the St Brendan’s press night ahead of the final.

“We’ve some great players so I’m going to try and facilitate them the best I can for the final,” said Donaghy.

“I think the town of Tralee is really getting behind basketball. Even with my camps, I’ve noticed it over the last few years. We played Imperials in a local derby recently and there was over 200 people at it.”

Getting there was no easy task either for the team based in Moyderwell gym. Three out of the four games on route to the final were played on the road. Thankfully, the side’s travelling support has brought a home team atmosphere with them.

“For the semi-final, the Cork Celts guys came up to us after afterwards and noted our support was quite intimidating for them. They were not expecting that sort of crowd for an intermediate semi-final. That will be upped again for the final so we’ll need everyone behind us, that will make the occasion and make it more special.”

“There’s great will towards basketball in the town and I think people are going to travel up in numbers. The team has a great spread of guys from all over the town. There a huge support base for us, it will make the occasion stand out on Saturday morning.”

“If there’s anyone interested in basketball I’d urge them to go out to the arena for 11am on Saturday morning and try and cheer us home.”

“We’re playing against a team that are formidable looking, a lot 6′ 6″, 6′ 7″ players. I believe the whole panel are Lithuanian. They have a huge pedigree in Lithuanian basketball so we know we’re going to have our work cut out, but we’re really looking forward to it,” said Donaghy.

Road to the final…

17.10.15 – First Round

St Brendans 70
Shannon Jets 35

13.11.15 – Second Round

Portlaoise Panthers 51
St Brendans 85

04.12.15 – Quarter-Final

Phoenix 84
St Brendans 87

10.01.16 – Semi-Final

Cork Celts 57
St Brendans 68

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