An Admiral's View of the Blitz
Enda Byrt
Claremond Admirals will return to Castleisland this Christmas with very much a new team, but with great memories of their experience here in '86. We have lost seven of our junior Under 19 players since last year to emigration. I relate this rather depriving statistic at this point because I feel that the intensive community spirit which is in Castleisland Blitz goes a long way to providing young people with the tonic they need to consider staying at home.
Of course we won in '86 and so prehaps we were seeing everything from the winners enclosure!!!. However, I feel that all players were touched by the atmosphere and I felt compelled at tournaments to compliment not only the club officals but the local community on what we genuinely saw as an unique basketball event. Your tournament deserves the tag "unique" more than any other basketball event that I am aware of in the country.
I remember that after agreeing to participate in the Blitz last November, as the time approached players began to feel that it was going to be tough time to travel away from home, family, etc. after being on the National League road since October. You could say that we arrived reluctantly. In fact, I was unable to travel with the team on the first day but was told quite emphatically when they returned that it was a must - win or lose on day two.
As it turned out we faced the local squad with guests James Brown and our own former player and great friend Ed Randolph in the Semi. The local crowd were on to us straight away but after we had beaten your team we had a lot of important support when we faced Killarney in the final, and what a game it was. Just to add spice we had a great overtime struggle to collect the trophy (and cheque) with a Luke Murphy jump shot in the final seconds.
We went on to have a very successful tournament in the Milk International in Belfast the following week (with Ed Randolph on our side this time), but let me say for intensity and atmosphere we had to give top spot to Castleisland. Finally, we had no hesitation in accepting your invitation this year and we look forward to contributing to your great event on our return visit. Good luck with your preparations and thank you for looking after us so well.
Enda Byrt wrote this article for the 1987 Christmas Blitz Programme