Donal O'Connor with his wife Anne and daughters at Kerry County Council Civic Reception
Civic Reception.
The club received further honours this week when Kerry County Council held a civic reception in acknowledgement of the Annual Christmas Blitz, which has been run successfully for 36 years.
Donal O'Connor with his wife Anne and daughters
at Kerry County Council Civic Reception
Founder member Donal O'Connor accepted the award and thanked the Mayor of Kerry, Toirsa Ferris and council members on behalf of the club.
Members of St. Mary's Basketball Club at Kerry
County Council's Civic Reception for St.Mary's
He also thanked all who help in the organization and running of the event.
Mayor of Kerry, Toirsa Ferris with Pat Hartnett,
Síle Kenny, and Donal O'Connor
With thanks to Domnick Walsh for pictures - 087-2672033 or 066-7122981
The Blitz:
In 1970 Donal O'Connor, Ned O'Callaghan and Noel Spring came up with the idea of holding a Christmas blitz. At the time Castleisland had access to two basketball courts, St. Joseph's and St. Mary's Parish Hall, both were outdoor and totally unsuitable for this time of the year. Mr. Seamus O'Connor RIP made the Astor Ballroom available for the event
LtoR:
Donal O'Connor, Fr. Noel Spring, Ned O'Callaghan
In this first year it was a two-day event with two competitions, senior men and senior ladies, eighteen games were played. The rings were put up each morning and removed each evening, as there was a dance each night. This arrangement continued for six years until after the blitz in 1975 as the Community centre was available to the club in 1976. By then, the event had grown to 10 competitions and 70 games.
In December of 2005 the blitz was in its 36th year and the event has grown considerably since 1970. 28 competitions were played, 174 teams were entered, 203 games were played and 1,547 participants took part ranging from seven years old to over 50. While the Premier section that attracts Super League teams is a huge part of the blitz, it has to be acknowledged that the participation of the national schools is the highlight of the five-day event for most.
The event is now run in two venues for the first four days, St. John's Hall and
the Community centre with all finals being played in the Community Centre on the
final day, December 30th.
Fr. Noel Spring is Honorary President of the club; Ned O'Callaghan is always a
familiar face in St. John's as he is always on hand to help each year and Donal
O'Connor is still the main man responsible for the organising and running of the
event. While all those involved in the club give 100% during the five days it is
also a time where many other people in the community join in and give freely of
their time.
The Blitz is recognised nationally by Basketball Ireland and its success over the years has gained much media coverage locally and Nationally.