San Martin says he’ll miss Sligo
EJ’S SLIGO ALLSTARS BID FOND FAREWELL TO SPANIARD AFTER THREE SEASONS
HE spent three memorable years with EJ’s Sligo All-Stars where his leadership and professionalism saw him become a key player for Carlos Rodriguez’s side. Now Jesus San Martin is leaving the Northwest in May and is returning to his home in Granada, Andalucía in the south of Spain where his family live.
The 33-year-old reflecting on his time living and playing basketball in Sligo says he has some great memories despite not knowing anything about the place prior to coming here.
San Martin told The Sligo Champion: “I had never heard from Sligo until that call from Alberto (Garcia), the Head Coach on 2017-18 season, who told me about the club. Then when I became a member of the team, Glen (Monaghan) and Shane (O’Meara) then kindly introduced me to Sligo town, the club and sponsors.”
San Martin started playing the sport from a young age back home in Granada and his talent quickly became evident.
“I started to play basketball when I was 8 or 9 years old at primary school. I was one of the best players of my school and this fact led me to the best club in my city, C.B. Granada.
“I am now 33 years old so, I have been playing basketball as a professional player for 20 years.”
He explains that while he was in Sligo, not only was he playing, he was also learning English and had a job in Centra in Collooney.
“For me, learning English was another goal apart from basketball and obviously Sligo offered me good facilities thanks to the effort of the club for making things easy for me. My position in Centra helped me to reinforce confidence in myself.”
San Martin says that despite moving to another country and having to learn a new language, he settled in quickly.
“I am sorry to be repetitive but the people I met on my way, especially the club members, have been the main reason I found my stay easy here.”
A major downside he admits laughing is the lack sunshine. “I have to be honest, the weather here is horrible, I never got used to it!”.
San Martin says there have been many highlights from his time with the All-Stars and he has great memories from a narrow victory last years against Belfast.
“One of my best games was last season again Belfast, we won on extra time by 5 and I scored 27 points and I also made a lot of assists and rebounds. That game was unbelievable, every shoot was done…I was on a streak and finally we could win for our fans.”
He admits looking at the sport in his native Spain and here in Ireland that there are a number of differences.
“If I have to compare, I can clearly see three differences. The first one is relation to the referees. They allow a harder play and, at least for me, it is difficult to understand.
“About the second one, it is more important 1x1 than 5x5 on defensive and offensive, which was a big deal for me.
“It was easy to solve the problem with the help of the coaches and teammates, I got it then.
“Finally I would remark about the physical contact during the game. Occasionally, It was new to me but Carlos helped me to match with their way to play, which helped a lot.”
San Martin has been working in Centra in Collooney for the past 2 years, a job he says he’s really enjoyed. He is leaving in May when he goes back to Spain.
“I appreciate my workmates Angela and Karolina a lot, they were patiently teaching me all about my job. Angela and Karolina, I am really grateful to you and I will never forget the care you showed me,” he adds.
San Martin pays tribute to the many loyal and supportive All-Stars fans who he says really bring the team on with their support and the atmosphere at the home games in particular was electric.
“Every home games has been amazing, I just want to say thanks to every single Sligo fan. The team felt the support on the hard moments, they were the sixth player every game in the Mercy College. There are no words to describe the atmosphere, I will really miss it.”
He recalls his most memorable game was two season ago against Ballincollig, the best team of the league. “Because we won, we were able to fight to be promoted to Superleague. I remember that week, it was a really hard week.
“At every moment, Carlos and Pau were focused on the team, that was the reason to get the victory. Our feeling is caught in a picture, where you can see Connor and I hugging and sharing our happiness, but that was really the happiness from everybody, fans and the team. The perfect mix.”
It was also announced that the AllStars Head Coach and fellow Spaniard
Carlos Rodrigeuz is also leaving after 2 seasons in Sligo. San Martin attributes Rodriguez as being such a professional coach who had such a good influence on the entire team.
“Carlos has helped me to adapt to Irish basketball in a big way. He is a great coach I think one of the best in my career. We have been very lucky to enjoy him here in Sligo. I only have good words for him. The support of Pau (Vila) during the first 2 seasons was very important for me. He is a great professional and a magnificent person. We have sorely missed him. Both of them have been very helpful for the club and for me,” San Martin admits.
He says there’s great camaraderie among the players and how he will greatly miss the team now he is moving.
“The atmosphere among the players, the whole club actually, has always been incredible and I will miss each and every one of my teammates, but above all, Emmet (Keogh). We are on the same page, so I supposed he can empathise with me the most. He is an excellent person.”
San Martin says that he has also enjoyed having both locals and players from abroad on the team as well. “Apart from the experience that I have had from living in Ireland, it has also given me the opportunity to meet different people from the United States, Ireland and even from my own country.
“That is the reason why I am very thankful, definitely. Knowing different cultures has made me grow as a person and as a player.”
He went on to say that apart from playing, he’s found he has an interest in coaching now too.
“Working with young children is one of the most surprising things catching my attention and interest. It is wonderful to see the gym full of children playing basketball every Saturday morning.
“I guess this scene motivates the most veterans to continue working on it. In my opinion the club is moving in the right direction with the right people.
“Those children are the future of the club. It would be very gratifying to see how they become players in our senior team.”
With the Covid-19 pandemic and with sport on hold for the moment, San Martin explains he is finding things quite strange and he obviously worries about what is happening in his home country.
“Everything has been very surprising for everyone and I hope life returns to normal as soon as possible.
“I am especially concerned about what is happening in Spain because every day there are many deaths and I pity those who are losing loved people.
“To improve the situation we all must try to keep safe distance and do what the experts tell us to do,” he points out.
In terms of keeping fit, San Martin says he is trying to maintain the same routine as before the coronavirus crisis. “In the morning, before going to work, I have 35 or 40 minutes of stretching, and in the afternoon, I imitate the same exercises that I did in the ROM gym. I would like to thank all there for their support. Not having weights, I do more exercises with elastic bands and using the weight of my body. Everything to be fit.”
San Martin admits that during the strange times we are in it’s difficult to see what is next for him but he hopes to travel in the future.
“It is very complicated to know what is next being in the middle of the coronavirus crisis. For sure I really want to be close to my family, my friends and especially my girlfriend.
“Of course, if the future brings me the chance to play basketball again wherever I go, I will take it. One of my dreams is to spend time traveling around the world with my girlfriend accompanying me.”
The player may be leaving Sligo with cherished memories but he says he will be back.
“It would be a pleasure to come back to Sligo, I will be willing to remember every single good anecdote I enjoyed here.
“Sligo will always be on my heart.”
Carlos is a great coach I think one of the best in my career. We have been very lucky to enjoy him here in Sligo.