BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
This weekend, Kilkenny plays host to the 8th Annual Kilkenny Masters Basketball Tournament, as Over 40s and 50s Ladies’ and Men’s teams descend on the city for three action-packed days of basketball, camaraderie and celebration.
A total of 36 teams will take part in this prestigious event, travelling from all corners of Ireland including Cork, Kerry, Mayo, Dublin, Offaly, Cavan, Kildare, Galway, Limerick, Laois, Wexford, Waterford, and of course Kilkenny. Adding an international flavour, three teams from England will also be in attendance, representing Rossendale, Bristol and London.
More than 400 players and officials will be involved across the weekend, combining competitive basketball with the equally important social side of the tournament — highlighted by the traditional Saturday night social gathering in Paris Texas. The event is a wonderful showcase of the value of health, wellbeing, and lifelong participation in sport, proving that the love of the game doesn’t fade with age. Basketball has seen increased numbers particpating on the Island year on year, and these ‘Masters of their art’ are proof that the court can cater for all ages.
The tournament tips off on Friday evening (6th March) in O’Loughlin Gaels, with games beginning at 7.20pm. The Kilkenny Ladies 40s, Marble City Mayfairs, will face neighbours Portlaoise Panthers. That clash will be followed by the Kilkenny Men’s 40s up against newcomers North Munster. The Mayor of Kilkenny John Coonan will be on hand to officially open the tournament, and to welcome all the athletes and spectators.
Saturday sees the tournament burst into full swing, with matches running from 9am to 5pm across O’Loughlin Gaels, Loreto, and Presentation School halls. Notable standout fixtures taking place are at 9.10am in Presentation when the Kilkenny Ladies 50s team will take part for the first time, and then it’s the turn of the Kilkenny Men’s Over 50s straight after. The finals will then be held across the same venues on Sunday.
Gunning for 3-in-a-row are Leixlip Masters (previously LT UTD) for the Lar Murphy Memorial Cup and also Mustangs for the Seamus Walsh Cup. Many other teams will have their eyes on the prize and no doubt challenge them for the titles!
Basketball fans are also encouraged to attend a special Wheelchair Basketball Exhibition Game, featuring players from the South East Swifts, taking place in Loreto at 12.50pm on Sunday. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see wheelchair basketball in action and admire the skill and teamwork of Pat O’Neill and his squad, who competed in the National Cup final in January.
The Kilkenny Stars Basketball Club will be providing catering at each venue throughout the weekend, with all proceeds going towards their U14 girls and boys trip to Barcelona. Your support would be greatly appreciated and your taste buds will thank you!
Admission is free, and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the action. For full fixtures and updates, visit www.kilkennymasters.ie or check out the tournament’s Facebook page.
The Kilkenny Masters Committee would like to extend sincere thanks to all who helped make this event possible, particularly their valued sponsors: Paris Texas Bar, Pembroke Hotel, CluneTech, Langtons Hotel, Hibernian Hotel, Aroi Restaurant, SAZERAC Ireland, Basketball Ireland, Sport Ireland, HSE, St Canice’s Credit Union, Pat Carroll’s Bar, Hennessy Sports, TJ Reid Health & Fitness, Infocus Opticians, Lar Murphy’s Family, Seamus Walsh’s Family, DJSolutions.ie, moonbehindthehill.ie, drawinginc.ie
