Cork's Kelleher steps away after 20-year involvement with Irish underage basketball

Cork native Paul Kelleher has given 20 years of service to Irish teams. 

Paul Kelleher speaks to the Neptune team. Pic: Larry Cummins

Paul Kelleher has stepped away from international coaching following a 20-year involvement with the Irish underage set-up.

Cork native Kelleher - who leaves his post as coach of the under-16 men’s team - led his charges to a 17th-placed finish at the FIBA U16 EuroBasket, with three wins from seven games.

Kelleher's departure comes as Basketball Ireland’s Elite Performance Committee (EPC) has reappointed the five other underage coaches.

Tommy Walsh and Karl Kilbride remain with the under-20 men's and women’s teams, respectively. 

At under-18 level, Tommy O’Mahony stays as the women’s head coach and Niall Berry remains on as the men’s head coach. 

Paul O’Brien takes charge of the under-16 women once again.

Speaking about his 20-year tenure in the Irish underage set-up, former Neptune and Demons coach Kelleher said: “I've loved every minute. So much so it hasn't even felt like 20 years. So many memories, so many what-ifs, but most importantly so many lasting relationships with so many people. 

"Our International players have given me so much more than I could ever have given them, joy, connections and memories that go beyond the basketball court and for that, I am so grateful. 

"What has brought most joy is seeing our young athletes progress toward their dreams, taking the lessons they've learned and experiences at international level to their next step - this is what I will miss the most."

He continued: "An international team requires a lot of people to make a programme efficiently run, from start to finish, and I can't thank enough the managers, physios, S&C coaches, assistant coaches, Basketball Ireland, clubs, schools and people that have supported us with facilities, but most of all the parents who have helped, guided and encouraged our young athletes during my time involved. 

"They are the true architects of all this. I'm hoping this is a ‘see you later’ and not goodbye, and I can't wait to be a supporter of all our national teams next summer and help anyone that may need it. 

"'Green Means Go' and thanks for having me.” 

Deirdre Brennan, chair of the EPC, praised the contribution Kelleher has made across his two-decade stint.

“Paul has been an Irish international head coach for the past 20 years. The impact he has made on player development at high-performance level is widely recognised as excellent, so he will be a huge loss to our underage national team programmes. 

"We are hopeful that this is just a secondment and that after some well-earned rest and recovery, he will be back on the sidelines as energised and passionate as ever."