Ballincollig Basketball Club would like to wish all their members, parents and supporters a very Happy New Year and best wishes for 2016. All Ireland semi final for Ballincollig Ladies Sunday January 10th saw Ballincollig Ladies Senior play in the National Intermediate Club Championship Semi Final. This is the first time in the club’s history that a Senior Ladies team or any Senior team has reach an All Ireland semi final. We have reached All Irelands Finals at underage Boys and Girls with great success in the past. Ballincollig face Muckno Lakers from Monaghan who have represented their province in the Area Board Finals before losing to a Cork County selection. Our opponents are a highly organised and efficient team who have been impressive in their path to the semi’s with wins over Donegal Town and St Anthony’s of Cork. Ballincollig have also been impressive with a convincing second round victory over Portlaoise Panthers who were favourites to win the tie. Ballincollig strength is in their teamwork and spirit that has seen them through many a tight game. There is a good all round balance in the squad which was evident in the quarter final when the entire squad contributed to the victory. At the start of the season when a number of senior players decided to take a break it was a huge blow to the team. However the younger player have stepped up and have contributed greatly. The game in Portlaoise on Sunday saw Ballincollig as underdogs and this take pressure off the team and also act as motivation. The venue is St Mary’s Hall, Portlaoise at 12:30pm on Sunday 10th. We wish the team and everyone connected with the team the very best of luck and everyone should be proud on what they have achieved irrespective of Sunday’s result which we hope will be the one their efforts deserve. All support is welcome. Ladies Match Reports The U16′s finished off their year with a strong performance away to Mallow. With only 6 of their panel available, they travelled to Mallow where they started quickly and built up a 13 – 0 lead by the end of the 1st quarter. Ballincollig continued to increase their lead through the 2nd quarter. The game was a tough battle throughout and Ballincollig had to use smart basketball to defeat the home team especially when they only had 1 player to rotate. The 3rd quarter was evenly contested with the home team pressing Ballincollig. In the 4th quarter, Ballincollig maintained their composure and pushed on to win comfortably in the end on a score of 50 – 21. All 6 players got on the scoresheet and the coaches were pleased with many aspects of the victory including how they battled and how well the panel is gelling together. Boys Match Fixtures 16/01/2016 at 15:30 Under 13 v Youghal All Stars in Pobal Scoil na Trionoide, Youghal 16/01/2016 at 15:30 Under 16B v Youghal All Stars in Pobal Scoil na Trionoide, Youghal 16/01/2016 at 17:00 Under 14A v Limerick Celtic in Coláiste Choilm 16/01/2016 at 18:00 Under 16A v Limerick Celtic in Coláiste Choilm Ladies Match Fixtures Senior Ladies v Muckno Lakers 14/01/2016 at 19:30 Division 1 v Carrig na bhFear in Parochial Hall 14/01/2016 at 20:45 Senior v Carrig na bhFear in Parochial Hall 16/01/2016 at 11:30 Under 15 v Carrigaline in Carrigaline Community Centre 16/01/2016 at 18:15 Under 12B v Skibbereen in Skibbereen Sports Centre 16/01/2016 at 19:00 Division 1 v Cobh in Parochial Hall 16/01/2016 at 19:15 Under 14B v Skibbereen in Skibbereen Sports Centre New Members always welcome! If anyone would like further information on joining Ballincollig Basketball Club they can contact Ken Quinn on 086/1636035 or Francis O’ Sullivan on 087/2532671. Alternatively email ballincollig.basketballclub@gmail.com or just come along to a training session to try out the sport. Details of training times for the year are up on our website.
