All-Stars ready for season opener
THE stage is set and the Mercy is ready to host this Saturday’s season opener between EJ’s Sligo All-Stars and visitors Limerick. The match begins at 7:30pm and similar to last year’s phenomenal crowds, hundreds of spectators are expected in the Mercy College to cheer on the side.
The All-Stars are hoping to build on the brilliant season last year, when they went on a lengthy winning streak and also reached the final of the President’s Cup, a huge achievement with the club only reforming after a lengthy break from the National League.
This season too is extra exciting as top professional coach Alberto Garcia is in charge after coming on board as Head Coach in time for the opening match with LIT Celtics.
The 30-year-old has coaches some excellent teams in Sweden and this his first time in charge of an Irish side.
He said he’s really looking forward to the new season and brings a wealth of experience alongside coaches such as Glen Monaghan, Pau Vila and Shane O’Meara.
Also looking ahead to the season are the likes of the All-Stars quality players, which include Ireland U18 star Oisín O’ Reilly, Cian Lally and Mayo GAA’s Aidan O’Shea, who has kept in close contact with his clubmates during his ongoing season with Mayo and is expected to return after the All-Ireland final.
Saturday’s opening game with LIT Celtics is then followed with a trip to Cork to take on BFG Neptune on September 23rd.
Then it’s Portlaise Panthers who will travel to the Northwest to take on EJ’s Sligo All-Stars on September 30th.
On October 7th the Sligo basktetballers will journey to Killorglin Cyms which then sees them taking on the Radisson Blu UL Eagles in another away fixture on October 14th.
The first round of the President’s Cup will be taking place on the weekend of October 21st.
Then on October 28th, the Titans will be coming to Sligo to take on the EJ’s Sligo All-Stars.
On October 29th, the Sligo team will be taking on LYIT Donegal in an away fixture. November 4th sees them hosting Ballincollig, with Ulster Elks, Team Kilkenny and Fr Mathews up next before hosting ITC Basketball on November 25th.
The President’s Cup quarter final is scheduled for December 1st, before the All-Stars travel to St Paul’s Killarney on December 10th with Dublin Lions travelling to the Northwest on December 16th.