Basketball season is about to begin for All Stars
THIS week sees the EJ Sligo All-Stars club hosting summer camps for children which are proving busy.
The camps are running in the Mercy College until Friday and offer young basketball players tips on how to improve their skill.
They are aimed at young people from U10 right up to U17.
It’s a busy time for the club with Oisín O’Reilly preparing for the FIBA U18 Men’s European Championships which are taking place in Tallin, Estonia.
They are starting this Friday, July 28th and continue until August 4th.
Focus then turns to the opening game of the season for the Men’s Senior team.
They are preparing for the first match of the new season on September 16th against LIT Celtics.
That’s a home game for the EJ Sligo All-Stars and with huge crowds of fans flocking to the Mercy College last season, it’s expected the venue will be thronged once again.
Following that match in the Men’s Division 1, the second game sees the Northwest club travel to BFG Neptune in Cork.
Coincidentally, this is the same side the Sligo club met in the Hula Hoops President’s Cup final last January.
EJ Sligo All-Stars after a brilliant performance, lost narrowly in the final played in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
Reaching the final for the club who had only returned to the National League after a nine year break was a phenomenal feat and not only that but they went on a brilliant run in the League too, defeating some of the top scalps.
EJ Sligo All-Stars will be hoping to continue this form in their second season back in the League. They have a good mix of experience and youth, with Cian Lally, Oisín O’Reily and Tobi Brockman among their star players.
There was much talk last year when Mayo’s Aidan O’Shea joined the side and showed his prowess at both GAA and basketball. It’s understood the Breaffy man has been in regular contact with the club throughout the summer and is returning for the new season.
Another former Mayo GAA intercounty player, Ronan McGarrity, was also a big part of the EJ Sligo All-Stars team last season and these players were a good support to the younger lads coming through.
The club is putting a lot of effort into its underage boys and girls teams too and they are looking forward to what should be another action-packed season of basketball.