Corrib/St.Paul's Basketball 2006-2012

By Mary Kyne

Corrib/ St Paul’s Basketball 2006-2012

In 2006 St Paul’s Cadette girls were promoted to Division ‘A’ after winning the U-16 All Ireland ‘B’ cup in 2005. Oranmore, Pres. Thurles and Castleisland proved too strong an opposition at this level but the team never lost hope but battled on bravely through the campaign.

National League Division 1

Corrib entered Senior Ladies Division 1 for the first time after a lapse of sixteen years. Great tribute was due to the encouragement of Ita Green and the tireless work of Cliodhna Ruane, Sinéad and Eimear Kyne and the dedication of the young squad.

Corrib travelled to Dublin for their National Cup game against DCU Mercy. Both teams were really up for the game, with intense defense being played at both ends of the court. Scores didn’t come easily and there was nothing between the teams, with the first quarter ending 16-15 to DCU. Corrib let it slip in the second quarter and allowed DCU Mercy to open up a strong lead. Corrib took control of the game in the 3rd quarter and with Eimear Kyne dominating the boards, they began to close the gap. The Corrib girls showed great determination in the last quarter, fighting bravely in the dying minutes but it was just too much in too little time.

Corrib: E. Kyne 18, M. Malone 17 and S. Burke 8

International Selection

Tina Thornton was selected on the U15 Irish Panel for the 2006-2007 season.

U16 Inter Area Tournament

Corrib Basketball Club was well represented at the U 16 Girls Inter Area tournament in Killarney with 5 players on the Galway Team – Sinéad Burke, Meabh Malone, Maeve Clancy, Tina Thornton and Súil Collins. The team lost narrowly to Cork and had well earned victories over Kerry and Waterford.

Basketball Camp 2006

Seventy players took part in the camp given by Peter Sharkey of Fresco, California. He shared his expertise with Corrib’s coaches at a special session. His visit did much to improve and develop basketball locally.

2007 Unique “Underground” Fun Tournament

This unique tournament was organized by Titan’s Basketball Club Galway in St Mary’s College. The ‘fun’ was unique in that each team had to have an over-forty player, a lady player and a juvenile player on the court throughout the competition.

The Corrib selection was made up of some unique family combinations: Kevin Walsh, his wife Mary, brother Bosco; Corrib Club Chairperson Ita Green, sister Mary Angela Mc Grath, brother Harry Walsh and son James Harry; Shaun Campbell, wife Sinéad Kyne and sister Eimear. Former team mates Johnny Kelly and Patrick Faherty.

A total of twelve teams entered divided into pools of four. Corrib were drawn in a group with city teams – Smokey Joe’s, Barbarians and BLT’S.

Corrib had a great start to the tournament, winning by 42 points to 8 over Smokey Joe’s. The second game was much tougher and Corrib lost narrowly to Barbarians 31-28. The last game was also tight but the team beat BLT by 4 points. This qualified Corrib for the semifinals, where they faced the Untouchables who had Mike Murphy (former school boy international) on their panel.

The opposition had a definite age advantage (i.e. younger!) but also had some great outside shooters. Corrib stayed with them until the last few minutes but lost in the end by 10 points.

It was a great occasion.

Division 1 National League

Corrib had a great first season in the League. They were a very young team and every player improved immensely from the experience gained at this level.

Galway League 2007

Corrib were on top in the Galway Division Women’s League with 100% record.

The Ladies – Corrib Blue team were 2nd in Division 2 and to show the strength of ladies basketball at this time they had a third team Corrib Green in the League

Corrib entered a Men’s team in the Galway League for the first time in years.

Regional Basketball Panel 2007

Eanna Malone, Ellen Greene and Ellen Mc Kenna were selected on the Regional Basketball panel U-14.

2007 Under 12 boy’s Team

They won all of their games in a tournament in Sligo – against Sligo, Donegal, Balina and Crossmolina. They lost the final by one basket to local rivals Moycullen

Team: James Lawerence, Patrick Bohan, Enda Kelly, Rory O Connor, Ruairí Greene, Gary Heffernan, Matthew Lawerence, Ciarán Hanley, Billy Mc Andrew, Gary Heffernan

St Paul’s U 19 All Ireland Playoffs

St Paul’s vs. Holy Faith Clontarf

St Paul’s girls had a very tough game against All Ireland Cup winners Holy Faith Clontarf in Coláiste Iosagáin, Dublin. St Paul’s didn’t panic against their full court press and got many fast breaks thanks to their excellent teamwork. Clontarf continued to convert great scoring opportunities throughout the game. St Paul’s never gave up and every player on court put in a huge effort but they just couldn’t match the strength and depth of the outstanding Clontarf side with 3 Superleague players. The game ended 61-34 in favour of Clontarf.

St Paul’s vs. Pres. Thurles

It was basket for basket in the opening quarter with both teams fighting hard for possession. St Paul’s took the lead at the end of the 3rd quarter with impressive team play. It was nail biting stuff in the last quarter with the lead changing hands numerous times. As the clock ran down Thurles took the lead. St Paul’s girls fought bravely in the dying seconds but couldn’t get the winning score and time just ran out with the game ending 56-54.

Maebh Malone, Sinéad Burke, Sinéad Morley, Súil Collins, Maeve Clancy and Tina Thornton all showed great determination and gave it their all. They gave an excellent team performance throughout the games and impressed the elite coaches and teams of Irish Basketball who were present at the games.

Men’s Basketball

The men entered a team in Division 2 Galway League.

Panel: David Kinneavey, David Walsh, Gareth Lee, Harry Walsh, John Kelly, Enda Fahy, Jerriel Bumanglag, Michael Walsh, Shaun Campbell, Eamonn Walsh, Kevin Walsh and Patrick Faherty.

Basketball Panels 2008

Maebh Malone was selected on the Irish Panel u-18.

Mary Harte and Aoife Burke were elected on the U 14 Connacht Interregional panel. Connacht was successful in beating both the Ulster and Leinster selection in their matches.

All Ireland Girls’ Club Championship U 14

Team: Melissa Finnerty, Ellen Green, Ellen Mc Kenna, Aisling Lydon, Eimear Campbell, Aoife Burke, Eimear Walsh, Emma MC Donagh, Lisa Heffernan, Roisín Conneely, Mary Harte, Tara Mc Quinn.

Coaches: Ita Green and Pat Burke.

Boston Trip 2008

On a wild wet Thursday morning on the 23rd October 2008 a group of 27 Corrib parents and players set off on an action- packed trip to Boston. With the help of ex-Corrib American player Katie Delaney and some local contacts some five games had been set up.

The girls played two games in Foxboro, M.P. Hoops tournament. It was a great experience to see teams from all over Massachusetts. The next game took place in Braintree where the team was introduced to the Mayor of Braintree. It was great to have the support of some of our local exiles, Alan O Connor, Francis Kyne and Martin Faherty. Katie Delaney who played one season with Corrib in the late 80’s came to see the game with her daughter Maggie Rose. The game in the magnificent Whitman- Hanson High School was very exciting with Corrib leading by 4 with two minutes to go. However the girls let the game slip but they did us proud.

The final game was in West Roxbury where the girls had a sweet victory with another very close exciting finish. Joe Green invited both teams and their parents to a special reception in West on Center Roxbury. This gave the girls a chance to meet and chat to their new American friends. A singsong followed by Irish dancing was a great source of entertainment. The Bostonians were as good as anyone in Riverdance!!

Other highlights of the trip included: A Day at Six Flags Theme Park, The Boston Duck Tour, The Sky Walk in Prudential Tower, a visit to the Science Museum, The Haunted House, The Cheese cake Factory, and a trip to Wrentham where the ladies did just a little shopping!!

Tommie Finnerty and Cam Walsh took the group safely around Boston. It was a trip to remember.

Primary School Tournament 2009

The U 12 girl’s team won the Primary School’s Shield in Listowel under the management of Maura Moran and Bríd Conneely.

Juvenile Success

The under 13 boys and U 14 girls reached the finals in NUIG. The under 13 boys had a fantastic victory over favourites Claregalway. Trailing by 13 points they fought hard to bring the game to extra time and came away with a victory. Kevin Walsh presented the cup to Rory O Connor.

The girls had a sweet victory over an unbeaten to – date Maree team. The girls worked hard on court and led the game from the beginning. Joe Shiels presented the cup to Aoife Burke. They qualified as a result for the Club Championship in Athlone.

Connacht Basketball Panel 2009

Mary Harte and Aoife Burke were selected on the Connacht Panel.

Connacht was successful in over coming strong opposition from Ulster and Leinster.

2011 – Cup Final

In the Galway’s under 16 Cup Final Corrib ran out comprehensive winners against Bearna played in December 2011. Corrib ran the fast break well and never gave the opposition a chance to settle into the game.

Top Scorers: Merissa Gavin 16, Ciara Higgins 15 Maedhbh Campbell 12, Kate Law, Niamh Fleming, Taya Keating, Anna Morley and Caelainn Bailey

Juvenile Success 2011

Corrib won Girl’s U 12 and U 15 A Finals and were runners up in U 13, U 16, and U 18 A Finals.

Boys won U 14 B Final and were runners up in U 12 and U 15 Finals.

Great credit is due to the coaches who work tirelessly from September to April weekdays and weekends teaching basketball skills and encouraging young players to play to their potential. None of this would be possible without the back up of a hard working committee and support from parents.

Boys U 15 Team: Gary Heffernan, Enda Kelly, Rory O Connor, Darren Kelly, Patrick Bohan, Stuart Heffernan, James Lawrence, Benedict Mc Kenna, David Kelly and Ruairi Greene.

Coaches: Ita Greene and Johnny Kelly

Girls Team U 18 2011: Ellen Greene, Eimear Campbell, Ellen Mc Kenna, Tara Mc Quinn, Aoife Burke, Eimear Walsh, Róisín Ní Chonghaile, Emma Mc Donagh, Lisa Heffernan, Melissa Finnerty and Mary Harte.

2012 National Honors for Player

Maedhbh Campbell Captain of the U 16 Girl’ team was selected on the u16 Irish Panel.

Corrib Players selected on Galway Team 2011

Benedict Mc Kenna U 14, Aoife Burke, Mary Harte, Merissa Gavin U16, Ellen Greene, Ellen Mc Kenna, Emma Mc Donagh U18, Emer Harte u14 were on the Galway teams who played in the Inter Regional Finals in Limerick.

Corrib Boys under 16

The team was runners-uo in the Galway Cup Final. The boys trailed by 8points at half time to a strong Titans side. This pattern continued into the second quarter, however in the third quarter Corrib put pressure in Titans in bounding the ball and came back into the game outscoring the opposition by 6 points. Some long range shooting from Titan’s players proved to be the difference in the teams. Final Score: Titans 54 Corrib 41.

Team: Ruairí Green (18), Rory O Connor (10), Enda Kelly (6), Abad Hierro (5), David Kelly(2).

St Paul’s vs. CBS Cork

St Paul’s narrowly defeated by Cork CBS in UL in The National Cup Schools Semi-final. Cork CBS 40, St Paul’s 37 Cork went on to win the All Ireland B Schools Finals.

Team: Gary Heffernan, Jorge Durran, David Kelly, Abad Hierro, Enda Kelly, Patrick Bohan, Ruairi Green, Ryan Keogh, Stuart Heffernan, James Lawrence, Billy MC Andrew, Matthew Lawrence and Brain Lambert.

Summer Camp 2011

Puff Lawrence Summers conducted the camp. Puff had played on the Men’s Senior Team the two previous seasons and was very popular with the young players.

Basketball Season 2012

Corrib entered two teams in the Galway Basketball Area Ladies League – Corrib Celtics and Corrib Lakers. It is a reflection of the strength of the sport in the area that the club had the number for two teams. The Club received further distinction when the teams were seeded after a number of games and both teams were entered in Division 1 of the Galway League. Corrib Celtics and Corrib Lakers finished 4th and 5th respectively in the League.

Corrib Celtics booked a place in the Shield Final after wins over Barna, and the Tribes. It was tit-for-tat in the first half Corrib 22 –18. Corrib in the third quarter finally nosed out in front 36-34 on the whistle. The pressure was on to maintain the lead in the 4th and final quarter. A MVP performance from Sinéad Burke meant that Corrib did not disappoint, eventually coming out on top with a score of 54-45.

Coach: Ita Green, Club representative and coordinator, Carol O Connor.

Team: Mary Byrne, Brenda Fahy, Mary Tierney, Aoife O Holleran, Maeve Clancy, Carol O Connor, Teresa Mc Donagh, Eimear Butler, Lorna Lambert, Sinéad Burke, Avicen Fahy and Lorna Joyce.

Finally I wish Corrib coaches, players and supporters every success in 2013 and the coming years. Try not to fall into the trap of thinking that you can only be a ‘success’ in life if you get the best; it is giving of your best that makes you a success. Everyone associated with Corrib from its foundation gave their best both on and off the court. Corrib has a proud tradition.