Dingle hosts national basketball squad

A RARE chance to meet a National Basketball team at close quarters was afforded to members of the local basketball club in West Kerry when the Ireland U-18 girls team visited Dingle as part of their training for the FIBA Under 18 Women’s European Championships Division B which will be held in Dublin this August.

“We offered the team coaches our facilities to give the team time to bond before the upcoming European championships,” said Fergal Daly of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne and Team Kerry Chorca Dhuibhne, who invited the team to come to Dingle.

During their two-day stay the young basketball players went surfing with Ben Farr, visited Fungi with Tom Sheehy, toured Oceanworld with Máire Treasa, and visited St. James’s church with Philip King. Each day Garvey’s SuperValu provided them with lunch.

Clare and Mark Greally and Mike and Mary Lyne hosted some of the players. Tara Kennedy arranged extra accommodation and Michael Begley in the Hideout Hotel provided accommodation for the coaches, as well as contributing to a meal on one of the nights, while John Benny’s catered for the second night.

“The national underage basketball teams are self funding which means that their parents have to cover the cost of the team’s travel and accommodation when they are training or playing matches,” said Fergal. “Without the support of Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne, the host families and the Dingle businesses it would not have been possible”

“The best underage national team I have ever seen play” is how Fergal described the team who will play host to 22 other countries during the European Championships. The team management were delighted with the visit and according to Irish team manager Paula Ryan, “the girls were really enjoying themselves”.

Photo by Joan Maguire Kayla Getgate practising skills and drills with the U-18 Irish basketball team at Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne on Wednesday.

Cousins Aoife and Sinéád Uí Chathasaigh with Aoife’s mother Méadbh Corcoran at the U-18 All Ireland girls demonstration basketball match in PCD.

Ciara Folan prepares to take a shot at the training session with the U-18 Irish basketball team.