Carrigaline and Cork’s Filipino basketball community join forces for the good of the community

Carrigaline and Cork’s Filipino basketball community are teaming up this April for more than just baskets and buzzer-beater as they are dribbling straight into the heart of a much-needed community cause.

Neptune Stadium will be buzzing on April 27th as local and Filipino teams from all over Ireland team up for an all-Ireland, one-day tournament, the proceeds of which will go towards something bigger than the game which is a proper Community Sports Campus for Carrigaline.

Let’s call a spade a spade. 

Carrigaline is bursting at the seams as once a quiet town of 6,500 people in the nineties but it's now home to over 18,000 people and that’s just within the town limits.

Push five kilometres out, and you’re tipping 30,000 fold a staggering increase in population.

One huge problem for Carrigaline is the lack of sports facilities.

Carrigaline Basketball Club knows this story all too well as they were formed in 1996 and supported by locals with over four decades of basketball passion, the club now has over 250 players, 15 teams, and a lively academy for kids aged 9–11.

Despite the enthusiasm (and an army of over 25 volunteer coaches and administrators), the club has long been limited by facilities.

“We’re growing, interest in the sport is growing, but the space simply isn’t there,” said Carol Sexton, club chairperson.

“We want to keep the momentum going, especially for the younger generation, but we need the facilities to match the ambition.” 

That’s where the big vision comes with a dedicated multi-use Community sports campus on the Kilnagleary site, designed not just for basketball, but for athletics, swimming, rugby, soccer and key community organisations like the Order of Malta and Owenabue Special Olympics Club.

The Carrigaline Sports Partnership was established by Carrigaline Rugby and Athletics Clubs to drive this vision forward.

The early leadership laid the foundation for a truly collaborative effort, which has since grown to include Carrigaline Basketball Club, Carrigaline United AFC, Sunday's Well Swimming Club, Owenabue Special Olympics Club, and the local unit of the Order of Malta.

These groups, united by a shared need and sense of community, are working together toward a campus that offers shared space, shared access, and shared benefit.

A model that is preferred for state funding with many examples through the country of such ambitious shared use facilities.

In the words of one club member.

“This isn’t about one club or one sport—it’s about the whole community having a place to come together.” 

Leading the charge with Carrigaline is a group that knows a thing or two about using basketball to bring people together and the Filipino community have integrated successfully.

Basketball isn’t just a sport in the Philippines as it’s a passion, a way of life, and often, a way of staying connected when far from home. 

Wherever Filipinos travel whether it’s Cork, Canada, or California, basketball goes too.

Courts become meeting points, teams become family, and matches become celebrations of identity and togetherness.

This isn’t the first time the Filipino community has lent a helping hand to Carrigaline Basketball.

The bond began five years ago when Erwin Tampus volunteered to help coach juvenile teams and his generosity and love for the game left a lasting mark.

Presently, Micky Gutierres stalwart of the Carrigaline Division 1 Men’s team continues to strengthen ties as he is supported most recently by the tireless efforts of Dzan Miñoza and Michael Gonzales in organising this tournament.

With Neptune Basketball Club generously donating use of their stadium, the April 27th event promises to be a celebration of community spirit and funds will be raised through team entries, a raffle, tuck shop, and the ever-reliable cake sale.

This is about more than sport. 

It’s about every child needing a place to run, every teen who finds belonging in sport, and every adult looking to stay active and connected.

Sport doesn’t just build muscles—it builds community. 

And in Carrigaline, community is what drives everything.

Special thanks go to Cork County Council and the local representatives, Jack White and Seamus McGrath, whose early and ongoing support has been instrumental in progressing the pre-feasibility study now underway.

All funds raised from this tournament will help us progress to the next stage.

So, if you love basketball or even just love Carrigaline just come along to the Neptune stadium on April 27th and take in the action or just buy a bun.

It's all about supporting the vision because in Carrigaline they are not just building a court, as its all about building a future.