Castleisland is launches 49th Christmas Blitz
ST. Mary’s Basketball Club launched its 49th Annual Blitz on Friday evening in Tom McCarthy’s bar Castleisland. The event is recognised as the biggest basketball tournament in Ireland.
This year 22 competitions will be run off, there will be 164 games and 93 hours of basketball taking place over the five days. It is expected that in the region of 12,000 will attend over the five days. The competitions cater for everyone from second class in primary school to superleague teams.
The big event will be the Munster Joinery Premier competition which sees some local rivalry in Superleague sides Garvey’s Tralee Warriors and Keanes Supervalu while division one sides Scotts Lakers St. Paul’s and Limerick Celtics will also contest the title.
Sponsorship for the event is raised locally by many businesses in Castleisland and throughout the county while the major sponsors are Munster Joinery, Garvey’s Supervalu, Den Joes Restaurants and Walsh Colour Print/educate.ie
Speakers at the event included Cathaoirleach of Killarney Municiple District, John Sheahan who praised the founder Donal O’Connor, Chairman Eamon Egan and the committee for their ongoing dedication. The blitz commences on December 26 and runs through December 30 when the final game of the evening will be the Premier men’s final.