Kieran Donaghy, MVP, celebrating with daughter Lola Rose after the Intermediate Club Championship final.
St. Brendan’s Tralee claimed the inaugural Hula Hoops Men’s Intermediate Club Championship title with an emphatic 78-60 win over BC Leixlip Nemumas at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght last Saturday.
Brendan’s run to the final saw them account for Shannon Jets, Portlaoise Panthers, Phoenix BC from Belfast and Cork Celts but it was believed that their final opponents would provide the stiffest test of all.
So it proved to be as the Kildare side got off to an impressive start and dominated exchanges early in the first quarter. Kestutis Damulevicius and Romas Eidukas were finding their range from outside and Andrius Urnikis landed two in a row as Leixlip raced into a 17-7 lead.
St. Brendan’s Club Chairman Pa Carey and Jason Quirke proudly display the National Cup.
Brendan’s were finding scores much more difficult to come by but when Kieran Donaghy began to assert control under the boards and the introduction of Mike O’Donnell’s gave some more momentum in offence, the Tralee side powered to a 20-19 lead with Donaghy hitting eight points and securing eight rebounds.
Brendan’s continued to press early in the second and a fine Jason Quirke three pointer at the very start was added to by scores from Paul McMahon, Rob Mulcahy and a three pointer from Fergal O’Sullivan that kept the Tralee side eight points in front at half time.
Kieran Donaghy continued to torment the Leixlip defence as he dictated the Brendan’s plays with the support of captain Darren O’Sullivan the impressive Quirke. The half time score was St. Brendan’s 40 Leixlip Nemunas 32.
Early in the third Leixlip began to find space at the perimeter particularly through Marius Kasperavicius but a lack of shooting accuracy denied his side the opportunity to bridge the Brendan’s lead. In contrast, Fergal O’Sullivan landed a stunning baseline three pointer and when he was fouled with his next attempt he punished Leixlip by landing all three free throws for a 46-33 lead.
Donaghy along with Darren and Fergal O’Sullivan kept the scoreboard ticking over for Brendan’s but Leixlip were also finding their range and at the end of the third they trailed by nine, 58-49.
The final quarter provided excitement and drama in equal measure for the huge St. Brendan’s support that travelled to Tallaght. Leixlip continued to chip away at the Brendan’s lead and at one stage had the score back to just six between the sides.
However, in what proved to be a cup winning series of plays, Darren O’Sullivan who had excelled throughout, capped a memorable individual performance with back-to-back-to-back three pointers.
The last of these sent the St. Brendan’s supporters into raptures as both they and the players realised that the mission of winning a national title for the club had been achieved. Nathan Roche finished off the scoring with a lay-up to leave the final scoreline for the record, St. Brendan’s 78 BC Leixlip Nemunas 60.
The Intermediate National Cup was presented to team captain Darren O’Sullivan and the MVP not surprisingly went to Kieran Donaghy for a masterclass display on the biggest stage in Irish basketball.
The St. Brendan’s team celebrate their victory in the final of the Hula Hoops Basketball Ireland Intermediate National Cup after defeating BC Leixlip Nemunas 78-60
The former national player of the year and Superleague cup winner with Tralee Tigers treated those present to a sensational display throughout the game franked by his incredible stats of 18 points, 26 rebounds and 12 assists.
There were fantastic scenes afterwards as family, friends and supporters swamped the St. Brendan’s players to celebrate and the huge significance of the win for the club was clear to see for all. What it proved to the many people that witnessed the game was that St. Brendan’s looked very much at home on the national stage.
For now however it is great to simply say that St. Brendan’s are the National Intermediate Basketball Cup Champions for 2016. Congratulations to all the squad and to coach Gareth Moore and assistant coach club and club Chairman Pa Carey and sponsors The Castle Bar, Paddy Power and K9 Cabs on what was an unforgettable day for the club.
St. Brendan’s Tralee: Fergal O’Sullivan 14, Darren O’Sullivan 21, Paul McMahon 10, Conor Donaghy, Kieran Donaghy 18. Substitutes: Nathan Roche 2, Jason Quirke 5, Stephen Hanifan, Rob Mulcahy 2, Mike O’Donnell, Kasper Buitydas, Cyril Wallace
BC Leixlip Nemunas: Daluis Tomosauskis, Andrius Urnikis 4, Eugenijus Pocius, Andrius Lekavicius 7, Andrejus Karcikas 7. Substitutes: Valdas Grabauskas 2, Martynas Kuncaitis, Kestutis Damulevicius 12, Romas Eidukas 19, Rimantas Smitas, Martynas Bickus, Marius Kasperavicius 9
MVP: Kieran Donaghy
Boys U14 Div 3 Plate Semi Final
St. Brendan’s 30 – Tralee Tigers 33
This plate semi-final derby always looked like it would be a close contest and so it proved to be. Tigers were the first out of the traps with a basket catching the Brendan’s defence off guard.
But Brendans soon replied with two baskets from Graham Sheehy. Tigers penetrated the Brendan’s defence which was yet to settle and scored twice more. Sean Dillane drove deep into the paint drawing the foul and confidently sinking both free throws.
The first quarter ended with the teams tied 6 apiece. In the second quarter Garry Lynch played a simple one-two to get an easy lay-up inside and the foul that he duly punished and Sam McCarthy was rewarded for his dogged rebounding with a basket.
Tigers number 9 was clearly their go-to-man and the Brendan’s Liam Kingston worked hard to keep him quiet securing a couple of steals which were converted to scores. However young Falvey still managed to score all Tigers 7 points in the quarter.
All credit to Sam McCarthy and Matthew Hussey for containing the Tigers big-man under the boards. Garry Lynch scored another two baskets while Daniel Bowler scored to make the score 18 – 13 at half-time. Brendans continued their solid streak into the third quarter with Garry Lynch and Graham Sheehy combining to score 10 points with 8 in reply from Falvey and Dillon.
In the final quarter Tigers mainly through Falvey really hit form. They brought the margin back to 5 points, then to 3, then to 1, then took the lead by one. Brendan’s shots just didn’t fall for them until Graham Sheehy nudged Brendan’s back into a one point lead. Tigers drove and scored again and then Falvey added another to open up a 3 point lead. With 10 seconds to go Brendans called a time-out and worked a play for the essential 3 points.
Despite valiant efforts by the team with the shot rebound and shot, it wasn’t to be and it was Tigers who emerged triumphant when the buzzer sounded on a final scoreline of 33-30. Well done to the boys who gave it their all. Thanks again to all the parents who came and supported.
Players & scorers: Garry Lynch 13; Graham Sheehy 10; Daniel Bowler 3; Sean Dillane 2; Sam McCarthy 2; Jack Clapham; Joshua Roche; Liam Kingston; Matthew Hussey; Nelly Olanrewaju; Ryan McHugh;
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Thursday 4th February
Boys U16 Div 3
St. Brendan’s v Tralee Tigers at 8.00pm in Moyderwell
Saturday 6th February
Boys U14 Div 1
KCYMS v St. Brendan’s at 5.00pm in Killorglin Sports Complex
Sunday 7th February
Boys U12 Div 3
Ballybunion Wildcats v St. Brendan’s at 12.45pm in Ballybunion Community Centre
Tuesday 9th February
Boys U14 Div 3 Pool 1
St. Brendan’s v St. Joseph’s in Moyderwell
Boys U16 Div 1
St. Pauls v St. Brendan’s at 8.15pm in Killarney Sports & Leisure Complex
Wednesday 10th February
Boys U14 Div 1
St. Brendan’s v TK Bobcats at 7.00pm in Moyderwell
TABLE QUIZ
Thanks to everybody who supported fundraising Table Quiz in support of the Senior Men’s team as they prepared for the Hula Hoops Basketball Ireland Intermediate Final against BC Leixlip Nemunas last Saturday. The event was a great success for the club and a record turnout for a quiz at the Castle Bar.
TRAINING TIMES
St. Brendan’s Basketball Club Training continues at Moyderwell Hall.
Boys and Girls Academy 5yrs-9yrs
Tuesday 5-6pm
Saturday 10-11am
Girls U10s
Friday 6-7pm
Boys U10s
Wednesdays 6.30-8pm
Sunday 9.30-10.30am
U12s (A)
Tuesday 6-7pm
Sunday 11.30-12.30pm
U12s (B)
Thursday 6-7pm
Sunday 10.30-11.30am
U14s (A)
Wednesday 5-6.30pm
Sunday 1.30-2.30pm
U14s (B)
Tuesday 7-8pm
Sunday 12.30-1.30pm
U16s (A)
Monday 6-7pm
Friday 7-8pm
U16s (B)
Thursday 8-9pm
Sunday 2.30-3.30pm
U18s
Tues 8pm-9pm
U18s and U20s
Saturday 7pm – 9pm
Senior Men
Wednesday 8pm-9pm
Senior Ladies
Monday 7-8pm
Thursday 7-8pm
Senior Men and Senior Ladies interested in playing this year please get in contact with Claire O’Sullivan or Fergal O’Sullivan. New players always welcome.
Please be aware that due to registration with Basketball Ireland and KABB, all players and teams must be registered as soon as possible. If you are interested in playing this year get in contact with your coaches and let them know.
BRENDAN’S BASKETBALL CLUB JUVENILE ACADEMY
St. Brendan’s Basketball Club’s Juvenile Academy for boys and girls is actively encouraging budding young basketball enthusiasts to join. Our Academy is an integral and important part of the continuing development of the club. The Academy times are as follows Tues 5-6pm and Sat 10am – 11am for the 5 to 9 year olds.
Our Academy is held at Moyderwell Gym with our coaches Linda Raymond and Charles O’Sullivan and players Michael O’Donnell and Arianne Finnegan. The cost of the Academy is just 3 euro per hour. For more information on our Academy please contact 086 871 9335 or 086 862 5932.
