Cork Basketball: Blue Demons secure new deal to support thriving underage section

BLUE Demons basketball club have secured the sponsorship of WheyHey for the juvenile section.

The founder of the company Damien Kennedy played for many years with Demons. Although his company is based in England, their products are also distributed in Ireland to major outlets.

WheyHey is a team of Irish healthy treat pioneers committed to changing the face of food without compromising on either health or taste. The business started in 2013 after Damien became increasingly frustrated by friends and family digging into 'healthy snacks' that were secretly extremely high in sugar.

Speaking at the launch chairman of Blue Demons juvenile section Jamie Barry thanked Damien Kennedy for his generous sponsorship.

“I hope we can go in the same direction as WheyHey as this company has made remarkable strides since its foundation and long may it continue for all concerned.

“As a club, we are always looking for fundraising ideas as the financial side can be stressful and this sponsorship from Damien and his company will be put to good use for the progression of many youngsters,” he said.

Kennedy explained his special relationship with Blue Demons enticed him to give something back to the club.

“I am honoured and privileged to be in the position to help a club that I have so many happy memories donning the jersey and hopefully our contribution will help them going forward,” Damien said.

Blue Demons basketball club has a very vibrant Juvenile section which has been in operation for 65 years starting out as DePaul Boys in St Vincent’s, Sunday's Well back in 1959.

They have had many successes during their history and have produced some excellent players, coaches and mentors, players of the calibre of Noel McCarthy, Shane Coughlan, Mono McCarthy and coaches that won National League and Cup honours like Sean Murphy, Peter Coughlan, Timmy McCarthy.

The foundation of the silverware Blue Demons have secured at senior level under the UCC Demons banner was nurtured early days during the development phase from the nursery through to academy levels to U18.

Led by a strong and committed Juvenile committee led presently by Jamie Barry, Eoin Lynch and Barry Deasy who all graduated from the Blue Demons juvenile conveyor belt development system.

DEVELOPMENT

The trips to Europe and the US have been part of a development phase that the Juvenile Committee, commenced over 20 years ago and have travelled to Sweden, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and America.

This type of exposure to the game of basketball in other countries not alone has helped develop the young players' basketball skills but also their character as young men.

The recent Alicante trip was progressed through the club's Juvenile Director of Basketball Cesar Estrella Fernandez, a native of Alicante who now resides on Leeside.

Demons played games against Lucentum and Campello and were guests at a Spanish League game between Lucentum Alicante and Leyma Coruna.

Speaking about the trip Gordon Kearney believes it was an enriching experience for all concerned.

“It was an incredible experience for all the kids and they were surprised with the quality teams they faced in Spain,” he said.

In recent years Demons have recruited Cesar Estrella Fernandez to their club and his experience and knowledge is helping kids at all grades.

“Cesar has a deep knowledge of the sport and we saw first-hand the respect people hold for him in his native country.

“Since Cesar came on board he has given so much knowledge to all the coaches in our club and hopefully the players will improve at all levels because this man has a serious pedigree in the sport,” he said.

He thanked all the volunteers at the club both on and off court.

“I have been with Demons since I was a nine-year-old and now I am coaching my son Sean at U13 level so you could say that I have witnessed the many good things that our various volunteers bring to the club.” 

The following players and officials travelled to Alicante.

U13: Eli Lee, Charlie Barry, Sean Kearney, Sean Walsh, Cole McDonnell, Charlie McAuliffe, Lucas Neff, Cullen Carmody, Bobby Power, Cian Dineen, Tory Hegarty, Steven O’Connell. 

Coaches: Gordon Kearney, Cesar Estrella Fernandez.

U14: Zack Lehane, Danny Bruhn, Ryan Crean, Eoin Garilao, Leon Connolly, Sam Lynch, Rhys Thomas, Jack Burke, Luke Porion, Isaac O’Neill. 

Coaches: Erisk Bruhn, Dave Lehane.

Heads of Delegation: Eoin Lynch, Gerard Dineen.