Conor Meany: Ballincollig's breakthrough testament to remarkable group of basketball people
BALL DON'T LIE: Emporium Cork Basketball players celebrate their win on Saturday. Picture: INPHO/Bryan Keane
At just the second time of trying, Ballincollig have climbed the top of Irish basketball becoming Super League Champions for the first time. The club’s remarkable rise from only having senior teams playing locally just six years ago to National Champions is one of legend. Their rise is thanks to the remarkable work done by the O’Sullivan family in particular, with Francis and Kieran laying a foundation for the next generation of Ciaran, Adrian, Daniel and Ronan to follow through. Last year Ballincollig led the league in wins and were undone in the playoffs in a disappointing end to the season. This year they had to wait until the last weekend of the regular season to book their spot in the playoffs, but then they got hot at the right time beating DBS Eanna away in a double overtime thriller before topping local rivals Demons away in a brilliant performance. Going through Cup Champions Maree was a suitable final hurdle and they did so in style winning by 14 points -- 78-64 -- in another complete performance. The team still has plenty of good years ahead of them but for now they’ll enjoy a special win for a remarkable group of basketball people.




