Basketball 1994

Isle of Man B.C. visit to Oughterard

A mens and ladies basketball team from the Isle of Man visited Oughterard during Easter week. This was the second year that the teams visited Oughterard. They played several games against local teams.

AIB Award

Ann Marie Kyne, a staff member of Operations Support at AIB, Donnybrook, Dublin won Sports Personality of the Year. Mr. Tom Mulcahy, Group Chief Executive made the presentation at Jury’s Hotel. She was a member of the Dublin’s Ladies soccer team, winners of the 1995 interbank competition as well as a member of the basketball squad, winners of the interbank basketball competition, contributing greatly to their success.  

Big-time, small-town girl

An article entitled “Big-time, small-town girl by Liz Brennan on Ann Marie’s basketball career to date appeared in Basketball Ireland magazine. The following are some of the comments made: “She is no prima donna, and there is not a pretentious bone in her body when she talks of her success. On court she is a veritable firebrand whose ability has brought her to the top echelons of the sport. At 13 years of age she was selected at the Junior C trials.  “That was such a big thrill,” she recalled enthusiastically – a key development in those early days were the community games. “We got through to the final in ’83,’84, ’85 and this had a huge impact on all of us.  Our involvement in the games meant we virtually trained all year around. This is very important for young players. I attended the internationally famous Dungarvan camp with my sisters. This was great fun, great coaching and we started to get national exposure.”

The hey-days in club basketball were the years we played National League basketball. “We were lucky, for such a rural area to have had 10 people to make up a team. Top teams in Dublin might have 30 people at their games. We were getting 150, the local gym was buzzing with activity on Saturday night when we took on the top teams in the country. Not surprisingly home advantage was exploited to the full and we won many of our home games. We were fortunate with the American players who came to play with us. They were an integral part of the set up but were also our personal friends.”

Ann Marie joined Naomh Mhuire on taking up employment in Dublin under coach Pat Mc Kenna. She sites Kevin Blehein, Mary Clancy, Missy Lender (U.L.) and Kathleen Mc Carth (Corrib) as the coaches who helped her along the way. 

The final question put to An Marie: “Had an American college been scouting her? Was this true?

“There were a few phone calls,” is the unassuming reply. Princeton was the US College in question. Ann Marie had just started in the University of Limerick.

“At eighteen most people don’t know what to do with themselves. America was too big a move for me to make at that time. I have no regrets about not going”.

Under 19 Cup Shock Result

Eimear Kyne, Eimear Boyce and Mary Healy joined Maree Oranmore basketball team as there were not enough players in Corrib to form a team at this level. They played star roles with their new team’s success in winning the regional U19 National Basketball competition.  The team qualified comfortably from their pool to meet Crusaders from Dublin in the semi-final, while hot favourites Athlone emerged from the second pool to meet Clapham Ravens, Dublin.

Maree trounced Crusaders  by 21 points to earn a place in the final against Athlone side who boasted two Irish internationals.

However from the tip-off Maree’s determination and spirit shone through, and they went into an early 8 point lead. Despite losing captain, Eimear Kyne, through fouls, Maree’s tight zone defence caused their opponents huge problems.

Maree maintained their lead at half time, and Eimear Boyce hit a three pointer after the re-start to stretch the lead. Despite a change in Athlone’s defense Maree continued to break through and with Eimear Kyne back in the game and combining well with team mate Aoife Duffy, Maree dominated under their own boards to give their side some fast breaks. They ran out winners 41-31.

Coaches: Josephine Burke and Sinéad Kyne  

Ursula Kyne moves to Naomh Mhuire     

Ursula after graduating from U.L. moved to Dublin and joined her sisters who were playing with Naomh Mhuire. At first she was a very important bench player particular in the 1994 League Final when she took some valuable scores. She graduated to a starting team player and her tally of 23points against Wexford brought her average points per game to 16. Naomh Mhuire were top of the Gateaux Women’s League. In the 1995 Cup Final Ursula and Ann Marie operated a dual pivotal role to great effect. The team beat West Coast Coolers 61-55.