Lakers away to LIT in opener
FOLLOWING a successful debut season, Scotts Lakers St Pauls are looking forward to the new basketball season which commences this weekend. After an absence of nearly a decade, top flight national league basketball returned to Killarney last season and Scotts Lakers attracted record crowds to Killarney Sports Centre for their home games.
The Killarney side didn’t disappoint in their opening season enjoying a good Cup run before bowing out at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Ballincollig and then went on the secure the Division One ‘B’ Shield title.
Scotts Lakers travel to Limerick IT Sports Hall this Saturday for the opening game of the new season against Limerick IT. The first home game of the season will be on Saturday September 15 against Fr Mathews (Cork) in Killarney Sports Centre at 7.30 pm.
Team coach Cormac O’Donoghue is in charge of Scotts Lakers again for the new campaign and his squad is boosted with some considerable new signings.
A new addition for Scotts Lakers is Dutch power forward Papito Hersisia, who has experience from playing in Holland and Germany. His huge 6’8” frame and ability to dominate under the boards will give Scotts Lakers extra strength this season.
Exciting point guard Dailian Mason from Birmingham UK, is back with Scotts Lakers again after joining the squad during the middle of last season. An outstanding three-point shooter, Mason will give the Lakers that extra outside scoring threat. O’Donoghue and his squad of players have been in pre-season training for a number of weeks and Mark Greene will captain the side this year. The Killarney native was the Lakers most consistent Irish player last season and will have another huge role to play in the campaign ahead. The squad is also expected to include local players Padraig Lucey, Andrew Fitzgerald, Philip O’Connor, Cian Clernon, Dan Griffin, Dylan O’Sullivan and Irish American Justin Tuason.
Scotts Lakers are also delighted to add Seamus Brosnan, who has transferred from St. Mary’s Castleisland and former Blue Demons star Shane McCarthy. Both of these players have huge national league experience and will certainly help the Lakers to be more competitive again this season.
The Men’s Division One league will expand from 14 teams last season to 17 teams this season meaning more fixtures for Scotts Lakers. This growth will see the division split into two conferences – north and south – and sees three men’s teams in Limerick: LIT, UL Eagles and Limerick Celtics. Tolka Rovers and WIT Vikings will also join the league this year.
Coach O’Donoghue is looking forward to the new campaign and is hopeful of building on the success of last year.
“It was a successful debut season and it is important to build on that and try and progress even further this season. It is a bigger league now with more teams and extra fixtures. We will have 14 games before Christmas with four back to back double headers in what is quite a punishing schedule. It will be important to win our home games, gather some momentum and try and climb the league table,” he said.
MEN’S DIVISION ONE TEAMS 2018/19
Southern Conference
Ballincollig, Fr Mathews, IT Carlow Basketball, Limerick Celtics, LIT, Portlaoise Panthers, Scotts Lakers St Paul’s Killarney, UL Eagles, WIT Vikings
Northern Conference
Abbey Seals Dublin Lions, Eanna, EJ Sligo All Stars, Tolka Rovers, KUBS, LYIT Donegal, Titans, Ulster University Elks
ST PAULS SCOTTS LAKERS TICKET INFO
FAMILY season tickets are available to purchase from any club officers or online. Scotts Lakers will feature a bumper 13 home League and Cup games. Buying a season ticket allows you to make a saving when compared to buying tickets game-by-game basis.
A Family Season ticket is only €150 for a family of two adults and two children U-16. This represents a saving of €102 compared to paying game by game.
See www.stpaulskillarney.ie/ product/family-season-ticket
PATRON SEASON TICKET
FOR just €100 you can purchase a Scotts Lakers Patron Season ticket. This will give admission to one one adult and one child and your name on the match programme as a Patron Season holder. This season ticket includes all home games and Cup games.