Scannell plans run like clockwork

THIS IS the routine. The club’s U18s went up yesterday morning by bus, leaving at 9am, and some of the U20s went along. They all made Bewley’s in Newlands Cross early and the 18s then went to a nearby gym to shoot and get the journey out of their legs.

A lot of the parents were there, and many of the club’s underage players, who have games scheduled against Dublin opposition today. Though the U18s’ weekend ended last night in victory, it’s only the beginning of the weekend for Glanmire Ladies Basketball Club. Their U20s – sponsored by AOS Security, like the U18s – play their National Cup final tonight, and the senior ladies, sponsored by the Montenotte Hotel, take on DCU Mercy in their final tomorrow.

Club coach Mark Scannell is an old hand at organising Cup final weekend now; it’s their third year in-a-row making the three finals, so logistically it’s familiar ground.