Forty six years on and still going strong, St. Mary’s Basketball Club announced details of its annual, Christmas Blitz at a launch at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland at the weekend.
The Blitz is recognised by Basketball Ireland as one of the biggest of its kind in this country.
“This year 23 competitions and 169 games will be run off over the five days in two venues and 157 teams have entered,” according to a release from the club.
Centres of Activity
St. John’s Hall and Castleisland Community Centre will be the centres of activity over the five action-packed days.
The tournament caters for competitors from second class in primary school upwards and includes both a premier ladies men’s competition.
Club Chairman Maurice Casey is delighted with the response to the Premier section:
“It’s great to have a mix of teams from around the country playing as this is a huge draw to the finals and a fitting finish to The Blitz. The premier men’s final will be held on the 29th while the premier ladies will close the tournament on December 30th, ” said Maurice.
Super League Sides
The premier men’s section consist of teams from: Dublin; Limerick; Galway and Kerry. Super league sides: Swords Thunder; U.L. Eagles and Airtricity Moycullen will all take part along with Kerry Division one side Team Keane’s SuperValu, Killorglin.
The Premier Ladies section consists of: St. Mary’s Team Denjoes; Fr. Matthews, Cork and Brunell, Tralee.
Sponsorship for this major event is raised locally and the four major sponsors of the tournament are: Munster Joinery; Garvey’s SuperValu; Den Joes Family Restaurants Castleisland and Tralee and Walsh Colour Print, Castleisland.
Speakers at the launch included: Mayor of Killarney Municipal District, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell and Kerry Area Board PRO, Murt Murphy. Both praised St. Mary’s and in particular tournament director, Donal O’Connor for their continued work in keeping the tournament going. The event will commence on St. Stephen’s day and run through December 30th.
