CBS put Ennistymon basketball on the national platform

CBS Ennistymon battled their way into another All-Ireland basketball final last Sunday after stage two of the All Ireland U-19 basketball playoffs in Portlaoise. Four teams were competing for one final place.

There was an early start for the Clare team with their first game against De La Salle Waterford in which CBS began the first quarter well. They racked up a lead thanks to some good work from captain Ryan O’Halloran (4), Ciaran Devitt (13) and Micheal Leigh (8).
De La Salle struggled to penetrate Ennistymon’s defence and were in danger of being blown away early on. Ennistymon’s high-octane defensive display resulted in a number of steals, which Ronan Linnane (2) and Mattie Kinch (2), duly turned into points on the board. Tommy Kinch (10) was impeccable, stealing the ball from the opposition and he drove to the basket to notch up the CBS scores. The final score was 41 to 24 in favour of the North Clare school.
In their next game they faced Coláiste Choilm, Tullamore. This was a very close game in which Tullamore won by two baskets. Micheal Leigh (5) got his team off to a great start with a three-pointer, as CBS Ennistmyon got on the score-sheet first. Tullamore hit back with two scores in quick succession.
The sides appeared well matched as Ciaran Devitt (18) and Ronan Linnane (4) hit back for Ennistymon who were leading right up to the middle of the final quarter before Tullamore hit back.
Ennistymon’s support was being drowned out by the considerable Tullamore following in the stand. Ryan O’Halloran stepped up to the free throw line and as any leader would do, he led by example and scored both free throws putting CBS ahead by a point. Then Tullamore scored two baskets in quick succession as Ciaran Devitt replied with another. The final score was 37- 41 in Tullamore’s favour.
Next CBS headed into a game with St Conleth’s and after the disappointing result against Tullamore, they showed their courage, skill and pride. CBS took an early 5-2 lead when Ciaran Devitt went to the free throw line to put them on the score sheet. Ronan Linnane then stood on the free throw line, making both shots.
Micheal Leigh (12) and Brian Davies (4) hit back with scores throughout the game. Ryan Doyle had a huge impact on the game when he arrived on court to control Conleth’s ball carrier and to keep him away from scoring.
Micheal Leigh, Ronan Linnane and Ciaran Devitt continued to be St Conleth’s biggest threats and scored basket after basket. CBS managed to find another gear in the final quarter, as they began to pull away from St Conleth’s. The final score was 64 -35.
As a result, CBS Ennistmyon are into another All-Ireland final stepping it up from last year win in the C League. They are in the All-Ireland final in the B League and they will be competing in the A league next year.

Clare U-13 league
The first ever Clare U-13 boys basketball league got off to a blistering start at Coláiste Ennis on Saturday last. Four clubs took part on the day, Blue Stars (Cooraclare), Doora Barefield, Abbey Lakers (Quin) and Clare Cascaders (Ennistymon)
This interest in basketball is well reflected in the vast number of children who participate in the Marion Keane primary school tournament each year.
Next weekend eight clubs will line out in the U-13 girls blitz with four teams battling it out in Ennistymon and Coláiste Ennis starting at 1pm. There has been a wonderful response from all over the county from Cratloe to Kilrush right up as far as Gort with the emergence of a large number of talented and committed coaches. Clare Sports Parnership has played a pivotal role in supporting the redevelopment of juvenile basketball in the county.
Clare Basketball league finals will take place on March 6 for boys and March 27 for girls.