The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Basketball heroes in winning company at Kerry County Council awards
THE county’s heroes and achievers were honoured by Kerry County Council at a gala awards ceremony at the Rose Hotel in Tralee on Thursday night.
A total of 25 awards were presented to groups and individuals at the county council and municipal district awards event for 2018, and the St Mary’s Basketball Club team, which won the National Intermediate Cup Competition (NICC) this time last year, was among those honoured.
Presentations were made to a range of community, sporting, cultural, voluntary and enterprising individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to their communities and who have excelled in their respective fields, many on the national and international stage.
The citation for the award to St Mary’s read as follows:
“Since their All Ireland Club win in 2004, St Mary’s have enjoyed success at local and national level.
“Both the men’s and women’s teams have won several Southern Conference titles. In 2018 it was the turn of the senior ladies.
“The NICC competition is the biggest weekend of the year in the basketball calendar and St Mary’s senior ladies were at the centre of it.
“Under the guidance of coach Liam Culloty and captained by Aoife Nolan, the team faced Killester in the NICC final in the National Basketball arena on Sunday January 28th – almost a year ago to the day.
“A huge crowd travelled to support the girls but neither the hype of the event nor the cheers of the crowds affected the St Mary’s ladies who took it all in their stride and remained focused for the full 40 minutes of a game which they dominated from start to finish.
“The final score was Killester 54-71 St Mary’s. It was a really superb achievement for the club and for everyone involved from players to management and family to friends.
“Well done to a wonderful team.”