In the latter part of the sporting season, one name dominated the Gaelic Football headlines. Kieran Donaghy or “Star” as he is more commonly known was singularly the reason why Kerry turned their season around, and claimed the All-Ireland Title in such spectacular style. The fact that he had initially been a success as a basketball player, at under age level, once again opened up the debate, as to whether or not, basketball is an advantage in terms of transferring its skills to Gaelic Football. Despite “Star’s” stunning success, traditionalists will still question the value of the hardwood code, but while the style of some Gaelic teams, incorporate a lot of the coaching philosophies of basketball, it is not easy to convince a large majority of Gaelic enthusiasts, that it is beneficial to one’s development as a Gaelic footballer.
However, it is significant that quite a number of top class players, have mixed both codes to great effect. In both Tralee and Killarney where basketball remains particularly strong, the dual player has always been ever present, going back as far as the nineteen fifties. Teams like St. Vincent’s and the Busby Babes from Killarney along with the F.C.A. and the Rebels from Tralee enjoyed considerable success with a large representation of Gaelic footballers in their ranks.
On the All-Ireland winning Kerry Minor Team of 1962, Derry O’Shea, Seanie Burrows, Bruddy Burrows, Roddy O’Donnell and Denis O’Sullivan, were all Basketball players, of considerable qualities, while some members of Mick O’Dwyer’s dream team such as John O’Keefe, Seanie Walsh, Ger Power, Eoin Liston and Mikey Sheehy were equally efficient on the Basketball court. Further afield, Dublin’s Bill Casey, Mayo’s Liam McHale and Ronan McGarritty along with Limerick’s John Galvin, are others who have scaled the heights as dual performers. However, the success of “Star” has brought a whole new focus on the game of basketball and indeed raised its profile considerably.
For the first time ever, the player who picks out the perfect pas, and provides the assist for a score, is being given due credit for his contribution. “Star’s” input is given top billing as the outstanding performer, but for a team to perform to its maximum capability, all of its components must complement each other. One must contain, create and convert. In this respect, Gaelic Football and Basketball are quite similar. There are obviously different types of skills involved, but the core philosophies of both games, remain largely similar. Certainly the vision displayed by Kieran Donaghy throughout the football season would have been an aspect of his game, which was coached into him, during his formative years as a basketball player. His hop and step inside Francie Bellew, was also a trademark skill from the Basketball manuals.
Obviously, all outstanding basketball players, will not necessarily, transfer their skills onto the Gaelic Football field, as a lot of other aspects come into play, including a marked difference in the respective physical aspects of both sports. However for any young player, starting out on their sporting career, it’s always beneficial to sample a whole range of different sports. At some point, such such is the dedication and discipline required, one has to choose a particular sport. For those who have been coached in the fundamentals of basketball, and who ultimately opt for Gaelic Football, it is likely that they will benefit, just like “Star”.
This past year has been, one to savour for Kerry - Kieran Donaghy – and for the game of Basketball. I think its safe to say that we will have a few more “Stars” emerging over the next number of years. We could well be watching them in this years Blitz.
extracted from 2006 programme