BY NIALL SHERRY
SPORTS EDITOR
Tip-offs galore across Kilkenny as ballers get set for action
This weekend sees the fourth instalment of the annual Kilkenny Masters Basketball Tournament.
What started out with only five men’s teams participating in 2018, has exploded into a much bigger and sought-after affair, with 28 teams taking to the courts of Kilkenny City this time round. There are 15 men’s and 13 ladies in both the Over 40’s & Over 50’s categories.
The teams that are travelling from all over Ireland to play in this prestigious event are from Cork, Mayo, Carlow, Kerry, Offaly, Limerick, Dublin, Waterford and the Midlands. There are three teams visiting from the UK for the first time, Yorkshire, Bristol and the Midlands.
There will be over 350 players and officials participating during the three days of sporting action, with the equally important social night out in the award-winning Paris Texas bar & restaurant on Saturday evening.
The action gets under way on Friday night at 7pm in Loreto gym with our own Kilkenny Men’s 50’s team taking on WEBBA of Bristol.
While at 8pm in O’Loughlin Gaels Hall, it’s our Kilkenny Ladies 40’s team up against the 2019 winners from The Midlands, who will fight it out for the Séamus Walsh Cup.
Following that, the Kilkenny Men’s 40’s team have a tough contest versus the 2020 Lar Murphy Cup winners from The Midlands. Now that promises to be a mouthwatering prospect!
The Saturday and Sunday fixtures are spread out over three gyms (O’Loughlin’s, Loreto & St Kieran’s) from 9am, so you are sure to catch some great action in whichever venue you go along to. Entry is free. For a full list of the fixtures, check out www.kilkennymasters.ie for all the times and teams taking part.
The Kilkenny Masters Committee wish to thank all who have helped bring this event to fruition, and especially their sponsors Paris Texas, Taxback.com, L.E.C. Electrical, Pembroke Hotel, Newpark Hotel, Langtons Hotel, Infocus Opticians, DJ Solutions.ie, Geoff Doyle Electrical, Abbey Marble & Granite, TJ Reid Health & Fitness, drawinginc.ie, Sullivans Tap Room, KRSP and Basketball Ireland.
