Clare Cascaders Senior Mens Basketball Team – Winners of the Denis Killilea Cup in Annaghdown on Saturday, September 20th. Back Row (Left to Right): Coach Stephen Leigh, Cillian Devitt, Liam Murtagh, Derry Duncan, Mattie Kinch, Roma Byrne. Front Row (Left to Right): Brendán Monaghan, Ciarán Harrington, Mikey Rouine (Captain), Cathal McInerney, Cian Fahy.
CLARE CASCASDERS claimed the prestigious Killilea Cup in Annaghdown on Saturday last.
A gruelling round-robin tournament saw the Ennistymon-based outfit record three hard-fought victories and a single point loss in their four hotly contested games against Annaghdown Vikings, Athlone BC, Glasnevin BC, and the Shannon Jets
Their narrow defeat was not enough to deny them some silverware as their preparation over the summer months ensured they claimed the Killilea Cup.
On the day there was outstanding performances from Graham Sheehy, Ciarán Harrington, and Cillian Devitt who caused havoc from both inside and outside the arc, while the Cascaders’ big men Mattie Kinch, Mikey Rouine, and Roma Byrne dominated the boards and finished powerfully.
Captain Rouine, a well-known barber in Ennistymon, first started with the Cascaders as a ten-year-old and he accepted the Killilea Cup on behalf of the squad.
Head Coach Stephen Leigh praised his players’ effort and energy throughout the tournament and now turns his focus to the challenge of the Basketball Ireland Development League. “Competing regularly with the best teams in the country is not just possible, it’s essential for Clare basketball. We’ve got a hugely talented squad that has been successful in Clare and North Munster, and now we’re ready to test ourselves nationally. This is just the beginning.”
That national test begins in earnest on October 5th, when the Cascaders host the Limerick Lions at Ennistymon Community School in their League debut. With fixtures lined up against National League Clubs from Ballina, Sligo, Limerick, and near-neighbours Shannon, the season promises edge-of-your-seat action and an opportunity for basketball fans to rally behind this team.
