Captain’s prize for Síofra
ONE of the sweetest accolades any sports star can get in life is a ‘welcome home’ from your own community. That was the surprise awaiting Síofra O’Shea from Caherdaniel on Monday evening as members of the south Kerry community came out to honour her amazing season with the Irish U16 basketball ladies’ team in Montenegro.
Síofra’s team won four of their eight competitive games and only just missed out on a top-eight ranking, while Síofra played nine games in 11 days. According to stats from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Irish U16 girls were the second smallest team in height in the tournament, but were the top rebounders. The stats also confirmed Síofra as the most efficient player on the team during the tournament.
Síofra is a dual player as she also plays football with Sneem-Derrynane and the Kerry ladies’ team. And from one dual star to another, Kerry and Tralee Warriors’ star, Kieran Donaghy, was invited to Caherdaniel on Monday evening to acknowledge Síofra’s achievement.
Her parents, John and Bríd, are very proud of their daughter, and Bríd even managed to make the trip to Montenegro to see her perform in what proved to be the trip of a lifetime for mother and daughter.
“We’re so delighted for her. She loves the game and the whole experience has been great for her. It was brilliant and I was lucky enough to travel and to see her play,” Bríd said.
Along with her brother, Iarla, Síofra started playing basketball at the age of five with Kenmare Kestrels. When she attended Coláiste na Sceilge she transferred to Cahersiveen Basketball Club. She represented the South West team and was pre-selected to represent Ireland. Out of 37 girls that started Irish trials in October 2017, Síofra made the final cut of 12, earning her first cap against Scotland in April 2018.
Síofra has since played in Iceland, Luxembourg and Denmark. She is the only girl from Kerry on the team, which is a huge source pride for Síofra and her family. Síofra was also joined by Ronan Collins from Gneeveguilla Basketball Club, and Rapolas Buivydas from the St Brendan’s Club in Tralee, who played for the Irish U16 men’s team. All did their county proud.