The KDYS in partnership with An Garda Siochana ran their annual basketball blitz on Good Friday for the sixth successive year at Castleisland Community Centre. The event was organised by Helena Falvey Youth Justice worker with the KDYS in conjunction with Garda Liz Twomey Junior Liaison Officer at Killarney Garda Station. The event was a great success again this year with over 100 young people taking part in a total of 21 games. Garda Liz Twomey sent the following report on the event:
Dishing Out Thanks
“The organisers wish to thank all the teams who took part and to their team managers and parents. Thanks to sponsors: Centra; SuperValu; The Market Stall and Vincent Murphy Sports. To all our volunteers this would not have been possible without your assistance on the day. Namely to: Maurice Casey, Brid Kenny, Tommy Dom O’Connor, John Begley, Billy O’Connor, Majella Ahern, Padraig O’Connell, Kelly Ahern, Jack Curran, Aisling Moriarty, Saoirse Casey, Breda McMahon, Michaela Ahern and Roisin Casey.
In the U12 category there were seven teams taking part, this group was broken down into two groups with the top two teams taking a place in the semi –final. The teams in the U12 category were: The Blues, Nothing but Nets, Ballymac Bulls, All Stars, The Flyers, The Globetrotters and Community Games. The games were competitive and in some cases breath taking with the games going down to free throws and sudden death. Making it through to the semi-finals were: Globetrotters (21) V Nothing but Nets (19) and in the second semi-final: All Stars (9)V Flyers (12). The Final Globetrotters V Flyers with Globetrotters winning to be crowned U12 champions. Captained by Aaron Fleming and team mates, Egan Brosnan, Padraig Fleming, Darren O Donovan, Grainne Walsh, Georgia Cronin, Luke Walsh and Tadhg O’Shea. Flyers team: Captain Dylan Callaghan, Chloe O’Connor, Cian Ring, Jason Brennan, Darragh Brosnan, Conor Henderson, Brid Flynn and Liam Moloney. MVP was Dylan Callaghan from team Flyers.
Great Games
In the U15 Category six teams took part namely: 69ers, Camp, Colours, Jets, Wildcats and All Stars. The teams were broken into two groups with two teams in each group making it through to the semi-finals. With 69ers to play Jets in the first semi-final and All Stars to play The Wildcats in the second semi-final some great games of basketball were played. Very little between all teams in this competition eventually saw Jets V All Star play off in the final. All Stars the winners captained by Damien Feehan, and his team mates Padraig O’Connell, Keelin Houlihan, Patrick Horan, Jack Horan, Aoife O Connor, Chloe O’Connor and Patrick O’Connor. The Jets team was captained by David McCarthy and team mates included Philip Corkery, Darragh Regan, Kate Stack, Erica Maglynn, Kelly Ann Ahern and Shelly Clifford. MVP for the game was Keelin Houlihan from the All Stars team.
Best Aggregate
In the U18 category there were two teams Tech Titans and Crusaders. The teams played two games with the winner being decided on the best aggregate score. The first game was won by Tech Titans on a score of 31-19. The second game was won by Crusaders 22-15. Tech Titans were announced as the winners and Kayla Ahern stepped forward to take the shield for her team mates of Leanne O’Connor, Breda McMahon, Roisin Casey, Patrick Murphy, Garreth O’Connor, Alex Fleming and Benji O’Connell. The runners up Crusaders captained by Max O Brien and his team mates were Nathan Nolan, Adam Nolan, Shane O’Connell, David Lynch, Darragh O’Connell, Eodhan Browne, Orla White and Ashley Moriarty. Thanks to all who participated and looking forward to seeing you all next year.”
