From the Village to the Super League: Ballincollig basketballers take flight

With American Andre Nation soaring to the rim, Spaniard Inigio Zabola dishing assists and home-grown Dylan Corkery chipping in with 20 points, captain Ciarán O’Sullivan was able to collect the league trophy after a suitably stylish victory.

“So from that perspective it’s almost a weight off the shoulders, as well as a huge celebration because we put ourselves under that sort of pressure for the club’s benefit.”

“We’ve a tough run-in, away to Donegal next week, in against Mathew’s and Celtics coming to Ballincollig, who are in great form. If you pick up a few losses early on, you’re a long way from a day like this.”

There is talent in the underage ranks with Andrew O’Connor, Colm Blount, Issac James, Colm O’Connell, Sean O’Flynn and Daniel’s younger brother Luke, all featuring recently. However, the Super League, currently led by Pat Price’s Tralee Warriors unit, is unforgiving.

“I think in terms of drawing the neutral Ballincollig people to games, being up Super League will be huge. We saw the crowd that was here for the promotion game and having big names like Donaghy and the Dublin clubs coming to the Village will be great.

“We’ll earn everything we get in Super League so the neutral will get a lot of exciting games. Hopefully long into the future.”
