In 1988/1989 Corrib Ladies coached by Barbarann Keffer entered the Galway League and had quite a successful year. It was a very young team and they gained much experience throughout the year. By entering a team in the league again in 1989/1990 they hoped to improve on the previous year’s performance.
Galway League Team Roster
Mary Angela Walsh: Captain was a strong re-bounder and fine team player. This was her second season with Corrib. She showed great commitment always. Worked as a Clerical Assistant in Clifden Garda Station.
Rayleen O’Malley: Rayleen was a student at St. Paul’s and gained much experience the previous season.
Sinéad Kyne: Sinéad, a student at St. Paul’s, was the youngest member of the team at 14 years of age. She improved vastly over the previous season. Her commitment to the game during the season and off season is notable. She attended Dungarvan Basketball Camp.
Sinéad O’Halloran: A student at St. Paul’s, played on both Galway League and National League teams. Represented Connacht at u15 and u17 level. She was a strong dependable player with great potential.
Marie O’Malley: Student at St. Paul’s, received the most improved player award at the Club Function 1989.
Claire Geoghegan: Student at St. Paul’s and gained in confidence the previous season.
Pauline Keane: Student at St. Paul’s, a steady player with a good outside shot.
Aileen O’Toole: Student at St. Paul’s, a strong aggressive player with great potential. Received and award for the best defensive player at the Club’s Annual Award’s Function.
Maria O’Halloran: Student at St. Paul’s, strong re-bounder and talented athlete. She was one of the starting five and showed spirit and determination on court.
Shirley Angland: Fastest player on the team and showed great promise with her accurate shooting ability and lightening speed. Played at U17 Connacht level and also on the National League team.
Colette Gill: Student at St. Paul’s, fast skilful player with great potential.
Imelda Walsh: Student at Regional Technical College, strong skilful player, a good team player, dedicated and committed.
Galway League Campaign
Corrib Ladies, coached by Josephine Burke enjoyed a very successful season in the Galway League Competition. National League and former Galway League players formed the team. The experience of the older players combined with the enthusiasm of the younger players made for a great winning side.
The team played under the wing of Captain Mary Angela Walsh. Competition was keen, games were won and lost. Corrib beat the previous finalists ‘Keltics’ in the semi-final and then they met ‘Shamrocks’ in the final.
This game turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the season. In this keenly fought Cup Final each team exchanged basket for basket until finally Corrib emerged victorious. The team celebrated their victory and made it a night to remember.
1989 Galway Cup Finalists: Mary Angela Walsh, Ita Walsh, Mary Fleming, Shirley Angland, Aileen Sheehan, Sinéad Kyne, Aileen O Toole, Colette Gill and Pauline Keane.
Corrib National League Basketball 1989/1990
October 1989 saw Corrib’s Ladies team commence the Division National League, having had one year’s experience in the top division.
It was a successful season as Corrib acquired much experience beating some high profile teams, and bringing the top teams to a narrow margin. Corrib had also secured sufficient points to remain in Ireland’s top Division of Basketball.
There were new faces in Corrib’s line-up for the season:
Mary Fleming: Teacher Jesuit College Galway, a former Democrats and U.C.G. player, good re-bounding skills.
Trish Corbett: Secretary at Limerick Youth Centre and friend of Ann Marie Kyne, former player with Atlantis, Limerick. Her height and strength were an asset to the team.
Eileen Kennelly: P.E. Teacher at Holy Rosary College Mountbellew. Native of Listowel, Co. Kerry. Played with Coláiste lde and Thomond College, Limerick. A strong player under the boards.
Fiona O’Sullivan: Third Medical student at U.C.G. Played with Summerhill Convent, Athlone and Connacht u15 Interprovincial All-Ireland Champions.
Bernie Mc Ginley: Graduate of University of Limerick. Played National League with Atlantis, Limerick. A fast aggressive player with lots of experience.
Due to work and medical reasons Bernie and Fiona were unable to complete the season with Corrib.
The beginning of the season saw the return of the regular players: Ita Walsh, Mary, Ann Marie and Ursula Kyne, Josephine Burke and Shirley Angland. The squad was strengthened by American Player Norah Mc Donagh whose parents came from Connemara. Norah’s height was a great boost to the team.
Coach: Kathleen Mc Carth: Corrib were fortunate in acquiring a coach of great capability and experience as Kathleen Mc Carth from Athlone. Kathleen, nee O Connor, sister of Padraig and Turlough of F.A.I. fame came from a great sporting family. She had captained the National Women’s Basketball team for many years having played on the team for 13 years. She played National League with Gateaux, Athlone and led them to Div.11 league victory on numerous occasions.
Kathleen coached at Summerhill College, Athlone with much success.
Her sheer energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the game was exemplary to all people involved in sport. Her wealth of knowledge and experience was greatly appreciated by all associated with Corrib Ladies.
Kathleen, her husband Tony and daughter Ciara has remained great friends of my family to this day. We value their friendship.
Campaign opens with a win over Waterford
Corrib got off to a good start winning against Waterford’s Snowcream wildcats, who had completed the previous season in 4th position. 62-58.
Norah McDonagh clocked up 15 points in the first half. Corrib had difficulty with Waterford’s long range shooting and missed several opportunities and trailed at half time. In the second half some fine scores came from Josephine Burke and Ursula Kyne. Corrib took control in the last minutes and ran out eventual winners.
At the mid way stage of the League Corrib had done surprisingly well. They had acquired 8 points on the table and were in joint second place with three other teams.
I.C.S.Cup
Corrib were drawn against Castledermot in the I.C.S. cup and had to travel there to play the Cup winners of 1987/1988 season. Castledermot were playing to full home support and had recruited former Irish international Ann O’Gorman. The Castledermot team was further strengthened by U.S. player Cheryl Condell. The strength and depth of the Castledermot team proved too much for Corrib and they were forced out of contention for the I.C.S.Cup for another year.
2nd Half of the Season
In the second half of the season Corrib came very close to beating Blarney who were eventual League winners. Leading by nine points at the half time interval Corrib were narrowly denied victory when Cork side netted seven 3 point shots and won by a narrow 5 points. A surprise win by Corrib over West Coast Coolers in Dublin knocked the Dubliners from their shared second place position in the League. Corrib had two disappointing away losses to Marathon and Killester but beat Corinthians at home in Oughterard.
Corrib completed Division 1 for the second season and maintained a position in the highly competitive division for another season.
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