Education and his Masters comes first before Conor Coughlan heads to Europe to play professional wheelchair basketball

Rebel Wheelers basketball team made history when travelled away to Sardinia in Italy last May to compete in the Euro Cup qualifiers.

This was the first time that a team from Ireland participated in this tournament and they went on to play four games, winning one against the hosts, Dynamo Sassari, but unfortunately, losing narrowly against the other three teams, which wasn’t bad considering these teams had multiple professional players and they done extremely well to be able to compete against all of them.

Conor Coughlan, who played a staring role in the tournament spoke with great pride on how his teammates and himself performed in the tournament.

“The experience was amazing and as a club it was a huge honour to represent Ireland on an international stage,” Conor said.

“If you told any of us a few years ago that we would be playing in a Euro Cup qualifiers, we would have laughed thinking it was a joke. 

"I think as a team we learnt lots about how we need to really put the head down and drive on. 

"We are big fish in a small pond here in Ireland, so this tournament really made us realise we have to keep pushing ourselves harder and harder to get up to the level where we can progress into European level.

“I think the standout moment for me was just realising as a club was how far we have come as a group and there was a few times I was just in awe about how the boys and myself who grew up playing together at junior level from Rebel Wheelers and now 10-15 years later playing alongside each other at an international competition, it was really amazing.

“I guess at the end of the day, the thing I care most about in these competitions is that our team is playing against the best and the great things we can achieve together.

“I did get great exposure from this competition, as I was lucky to pick up an award as part of the All Star team of the tournament.

“I am always getting offers here and there and I have always just responded with a simple, I have to finish my degree here before I come and play. 

"The University of Limerick offers amazing facilities to train at a pro level, so I am not going to be too out of sorts for when I do actually end up travelling. 

"Regarding the offers I’m constantly getting contacted from teams in the Italian, Spanish, German and French leagues. 

"I have even been called ‘the Irish kid’ from a few teams in Spain, which I think is funny to hear. 

"Once I have my Masters completed this year I think you might see me going to Spain or Italy depending on the offers and which team I think will suit me more.

“Jack Quinn, Darragh O’Reagan, Adam, Rory Motherway and Oisin O’Connor and myself are all a part of the National U23 team that recently traveled to Turkey to compete in the European Para Youth Games where we played some powerhouse teams such as France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and Portugal.

“Then, Jack and myself will be joined by Derek Hegarty and Adam Drummond for the Senior European Championships in September where we will be playing in Bulgaria and, hopefully gain promotion from group C to B.

“These competitions are amazing, however, it can be a financial burden on some players as we have to self-fundraise nearly the whole trip. 

"We are always looking for sponsors for these trips away, so if any businesses or company could help us out in any way it would be greatly appreciated by all the squad. 

"As we are affiliated to a charity, so it would be a big tax relief for a sponsor and plus they would get great exposure.

“This coming season I’ll be definitely staying in Ireland and playing with Rebel Wheelers once again, as we are looking at entering or potentially hosting Euro Cup games next year and I will also finish off my masters in UL. 

"After next season, I will more than likely sign and play in the pro leagues around Europe, which is very exciting prospect.

“I suppose there are too many people to thank but I would just like to thank Rebel Wheelers, UL and MTU Arena for helping me to be able to train and compete at a high level throughout the year.

“The other facilities we use from Neptune, MTU, Ballyphehane Community Centre and Upper Glanmire always are in perfect condition and without these facilities we would be in trouble, as they make everything possible for us,” Coughlan added.