St. Mary’s Basketball Club will host ‘Hoops 4 Hospice’ a 12 hour fundraising basketball marathon in memory of club member Joanne Walmsley, RIP. on Saturday October 12th from 8am at Castleisland Community Centre.
Joanne, who lost her battle with cancer on March 7th this year, was well known locally and nationally as an impressive player and coach.
She played for her school, club, town, county and country as well as playing national league with Lee Strand.
Hoops4Hospice at 8am
‘Hoops 4 Hospice’ will commence just before 8am on Saturday morning, Joanne’s former team, the club’s division two ladies will take the early shift.
The U-10 girls take over at 9am and several juvenile games have been arranged throughout the day. The club’s U-12 girls and U-18 boys will play St. Paul’s at 10am and 11am respectively while the U-12 division three girls take on Tralee Imperials at 12.
The U-14 division one girls meet St. Paul’s at 3pm and the U-12 division one boys play St. Brendan’s at 4pm.
Team of Joanne’s Friends
At 5pm the division two ladies return to the court to take on a guest team, made up of some of Joanne’s close friends and former club mates.
Former Lee Strand players Mary T. Broderick-Cooper from Killorglin; Susan Bermingham from Clare and Noreen Walmsley-Ferris and Irish team mate, Olivia Canty-O’Rahilly.
This team will be coached by John Teahan and Vinnie Murphy and both Sharon Roche and Mary Gardiner have kindly offered their time to referee the games.
Team Tom’s V Tipperary Knights
The final game of the evening will see Team Tom McCarthy’s take on Tipperary Knights in the first Garvey’s SuperValu Division One National League home game.
This game tips off at 6.30pm and the club’s U-12 division two girls will play during the half time interval.
Joanne’s daughter, Labhaoise is part of the national league team while her nieces will be part of the U-12 game at half time.
Great Friend and Club Member
“Joanne was a great friend and club member and she is hugely missed by everyone in the St. Mary’s set up and we are delighted to be able to do this in her memory,” said club chairman Eamon Egan.
“We’re encouraging as many people as possible to either call in during the day or to attend the games in the evening to support the event.
“There will be no admission fee but we will have a donations bucket at the venue throughout the day,” said Eamon.
Happy Snapper Prize
Everyone who donates will be entered into a draw. We have two super prizes: Joe Hanley, The Happy Snapper, donated a season pass for Garvey’s Tralee Warriors home games to the cause.
This along with a season pass to our national league home games will be drawn at half time in the national league game.
“Joanne wore the number four on the court which is where Hoops 4 Hospice came about,” said club PRO Liz Galwey.
“As a club you find that you are very often looking for funds and, on this occasion, it’s good to be giving something back in her name.”
All Proceeds to Hospice
All proceeds from the day will be presented to the Castleisland fundraising branch of the Kerry Hospice Foundation.
Like all donations to the foundation, the proceeds from Hoops4Hospice will go directly towards the ongoing cost of the in-patients unit at UHK.
“The unit was a fantastic support to Joanne and her family in her time of need.
Meeting Running Costs
“The foundation must raise €400,000 each year for the first five years to pay for the running costs of the unit and this is in addition to the €100,000 provided by the foundation for its home care services,” said Liz who is also the spokesperson for the Castleisland branch of the hospice.
