The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Killorglin basketball on the crest of a wave right now…
YOU might be forgiven for thinking Killorglin is just the home of football in mid Kerry but the town has long been a hub for basketball in the region also; so much so in fact that Killorglin K.C.Y.M.S Basketball Club are on the crest of a wave right now as they sit proudly on top of Basketball Ireland’s ‘Men’s Division One Table’ heading into December.
But while the club recently celebrated 50-years of bringing basketball to the regions youth and juvenile players, it’s last year’s big step-up to the top table of Irish basketball that has helped reignite a whole new era for basketball by the Laune with crowds packing the hall at weekends to see the team. Businesses in the town are also getting behind the club which is really helping to drive the current success. More importantly, it’s when the kids sitting in the crowd suddenly start dreaming of becoming the future stars on the court that you know all is well and right now the future couldn’t be brighter.
Niall Murphy is the current chairman of the club and he chats to us about the club’s progress:
“The juveniles sector of the club has been going strong for the last ten years and then last year we decided that we had some good young players coming true, so we decided to go down the National League route with them.
“The support we’re getting is unreal with the hall packed for nearly every game the club is involved in. In terms of finance, the town’s businesses have really got behind us and without them it would be impossible to run. We feel privileged at how the community has come in behind us as it’s very hard to run a club these days as everything costs money. Especially with a sport like basketball as you must pay for halls, lights and referees. We’re very lucky as every business in Killorglin has come in behind us and we couldn’t thank them enough.
“We have a very good U16 and U18 boys team at the moment and the latter were recently involved in National Cup action. All bar one of that team are underage age again next year and these teams coming through are our future. A number of the younger players have also got court time in the National League this season and they’re coming through the ranks nicely.
“We’re top of Division One at the moment and this club is now a great outlet for people. We have our American players involved in coaching in the schools, Damon Jones and Kevin Gray. Kevin has been with us since last year and he has put in a lot of coaching time with kids, and hopefully they’ll be our stars of tomorrow. Finally, I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and just to say thanks for their continued support as it’s greatly appreciated by everyone at the club.”