COMMUNITY GAMES 2007
MUNSTER FINALS
Congratulations to Castleisland under 16 boys basketball team who won the Munster community games title at the local community centre on Saturday last. They had a comfortable win in their semi finals and went on to meet Bantry in what turned out to be a very exciting final which they won by 2 points. The team included Denis Linehan captain, Philip O'Connor, Maurice Lynch, David O'Leary, Cian Fitzgerald, Stephen Wrenn, Tadhg O'Connell, Thomas Hickey, Declan Cahill, Jack Kirwan.
The under 16 girls were not as fortunate in their encounter in their final in Tralee on the same day. The girls had huge wins in both their quarter finals and semi final. They went went on to meet a very strong Limerick side in the final to their credit, despite having played two games already, they played a fantastic game which was a thriller down to the final buzzer eventually losing by a single basket. The team included : Lauren Prendiville Captain, Amber Galwey, Aisling O'Leary, Cait Lynch, Julie-Anne Twomey, Sheillagh Wrenn, Louise Joyce, Christina Martin, Avril Sheehy, Ciara O'Connell.
COMMUNITY GAMES 2006
Medals galore following successful weekend at Mosney.
It was yet another successful weekend in Mosney for Castleisland players and coaches alike with two sets of gold and one silver returning in great glory to the Island on Sunday evening.
The three teams made their presence known as they circled the town late Sunday night greeted by locals and supporters.All three teams involved had comfortable wins in their semi-finals on Friday night and Saturday.
The U13 boys under the guidance of Tommy Dom O’Connor were first to play their final on Sunday. They started well netting six points before allowing their opponents Oranmore to register a score.
By mid-way through the first half the Galway side had gone ahead when three points from Hugh Herlihy put Castleisland back ahead by half time. A series of scores from Declan Cahill and Donagh O’Connell gave the side a much need boost in the early part of the second half, Castleisland played a great defence throughout the second half and won by 17 points on the final buzzer.
Next up were the U16 girls who were coached by Denis Crowley and Bríd Kenny.
Once again the opponents were from Oranmore of Galway. Castleisland started well getting some fast breaks and taking an early lead but the strong Oranmore side were quick to get into the game and held a good lead mid way through the first half. Castleisland made a great comeback inside the final two minutes of the first half and reduced the gap to a mere four points at half time.
Oranmore started the second half with a succession of scores. Castleisland switched from man to man defense to zone preventing their opponents from cutting through but a series of three point scores further increased gap. All 10 girls fought to the end but despite their best efforts it was not meant to be on the day.
The last final of the day was certainly the game of the weekend. The u16 boys lined out under the helm of Denny Porter. Despite being the under dogs as their opponents, once again Oranmore, had four Irish international players on their side, Castleisland played with an air of confidence throughout.
Neither side scored for the first three minutes when Donal McCarthy put Castleisland on the scoreboard. It was a close first half with the Galway side having the edge over Castleisland who trailed by six at half time.
The second half was a thriller. Only four points separated the sides with three minutes to go. Four points in succession from Donal McCarthy at the free throw line left a mere basket between the sides with 41 seconds remaining.
Donal returned to the free throw line and narrowed the gap to just one. He repeated this once more to level. Play was stopped with two seconds remaining in normal time as an Oranmore player received an injury.
Five minutes of extra time was then played. Castleisland led by two points with 51 seconds remaining when Pa White was good for one from the free throw line.
Oranmore made a basket leaving just one between the sides once more but Maurice Hickey made two from the free throw line with only seven seconds remaining ensuring a three point lead for Castleisland. Overall it was a brilliant team display. This was the first time in thirteen years that the under 16 boys have brought home the gold.