Mayo basketballers to compete in All-Ireland final next week

The basketballers from Mayo school St. Joseph's Charlestown have a date with destiny: Will history repeat itself? Their basketballers are out to climb the ultimate mountain - again.

After winning the National Cup nine years ago, this year’s team are seeking to do it again and add another national title to the one claimed in 2017.

Coach Michelle Murray and her players travel to Monaghan on Wednesday, February 25, to reach for the All-Ireland C Championship crown and the excitement is growing. They didn't qualify the easy way, the players showed some true clutch qualities and they’ll be hoping to bring that resilience to the fore once again in the decider.

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“We’ve had wins by two points and games coming down to the last seconds of the last quarter,” Murray, told The Mayo News ahead of the All-Ireland C Championship final: “The semi-final tournament was held in Tourmakeady a couple of weeks ago. The performances that day were remarkable and an absolute testament to the girls.”

Their determination saw them through when the going got tough. St Joseph's put emphasis on their fast-break attack, built on a strong defence.

“Our rebound magnet would be Isabelle Duffy. She’s definitely a force to be reckoned with. Her strength and quick movement are huge for us. Kayleigh Casey is a very agile, tall player, remarkable under the boards, and she’s having a great season as well. Shauna O’Grady, one of our most improved players this year, has really made a big difference.”

Mischa Higgins is another crucial piece of  the team. She might be small but she’s fierce, 100 percent determined and willing to take on any role she's given. Murray says, she'll man-mark a girl taller than her, it’s no problem. She’s lethal with her outside shot.

Coach Murray was able to get in some outside help to assist with the preparation. Daniel Nyland, a co-founder and player for the Mayo Meteors in the men's third-tier BIDL competition, showed up for a training session. Nyland himself is one of Murray's former students when she worked at St Gerald's College Castlebar. 

“For the first seven to ten years I was coaching basketball there. Daniel would have been one of my former students,” Murray pointed out.

They aren't leaving anything to chance. Last year, the Mayo girls were stopped by Sligo neighbours St Attracta's Tubbercurry in the All-Ireland semi-final. They took their learnings and have made it to the big decider this time. 

The success isn't coming like a bolt from the blue either. Murray praises the local club for their development: “Charlestown Cubs have expanded hugely in recent years, with over 200 kids playing there now. Credit has to go to their U-16 coaches Philip Craig, Carina Finn and Maria Brennan. The girls are doing super in their domestic leagues and playing with both club and school has really driven their development.”

Nine years ago the Under-16 girls also won the National Cup under one of our current teachers, Ann Leyden from Ballina. The school has a good history of basketball success and we’re hoping to repeat that victory and the cup success of 2017.

The big final against Cú Chulainn College from Dundalk will be held in Phoenix Stadium in Carrickmacross next Wednesday, February 25. Tip-off is at 12.15pm and the school is driving up with big support as about 100 students will be there to cheer St Joseph's on. For everyone else: There might be a livestream online but no decision was made at the time of writing. 

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