THE FOURTH Kilkenny Masters Basketball Tournament was held in our city proved to be a superb weekend of sporting action.
With 28 teams from all over Ireland and the UK the event lived up to expectations with quality basketball games in Over 40s & 50s.
Mayor Andrew McGuinness officially opened the tournament in Loreto, followed by the Kilkenny Men’s 50s team against WEBBA of the UK.
Soon after in the 40s, the newly formed Kilkenny Ladies team of Marble City Mayfairs came up short against a strong Midlands team, eventual winners of the Séamus Walsh Ladies Cup.
The event was all about re-acquainting old rivalries, as most teams have battled against each other in Dublin or Galway Masters over the years.
The social side, in the spirit of Masters Basketball, a tourney highlight, saw 200 players, officials and friends gather at Pat Crotty’s Paris Texas Bar & Restaurant, High Street.
Sunday brought the business end of the tournament.
LAR’S DAUHTER PRESENTS CUP
Eight finals were down for decision in Loreto, St Kieran’s College and O’Loughlin Gaels Gyms.
It was UK-based NFOT that beat BNAF of Dublin in the Lar Murphy Men’s 40s Cup. Lar’s daughter Emily presented the trophy.
In the Ladies 40s final, Midlands beat a valiant St Brendan’s of Tralee.
The presentation was emotional as the new cup is in honour of Séamus Walsh for his years of service and dedication to basketball in the South East.
It was the first time for the 50s category to feature in the tournament, and so it was very fitting that the Kilkenny Men’s team won the cup, beating Dublin Lions.
There were notable wins for Carlow Rocks in the Men’s Shield and for Marble City Mayfairs in the Ladies Plate final.
Both champions go on to play in the Dublin Masters competition in May.
The tournament committee of Aoghán, Noel, Mark, Pat, Damien and Karen thanked all sponsors and those who helped to run a very smooth event.
