Ballincollig basketballers believe they've learned lessons from disappointing season

There will be a change of the guard for Irish Guide Dogs Ballincollig this season when they open their Domino’s Men’s Super League clash at the UL Arena on Saturday clashing with newly-promoted Limerick Celtics.

Former player-coach Ciaran O’Sullivan is back at the helm and his new assistant is Matt Hall, former head coach at UL Eagles.

Last season was a disappointing one for the Cork side under Spanish coach Antonio Lopez but now O’Sullivan is hoping to get his club competing hard again.

Having two Irish players on court on all times for the coming campaign can make a difference.

“It will be a major factor but to be fair all three Cork clubs have always given their Irish players a good run and there shouldn’t be an issue for any of us in that department,” said O’Sullivan.

The Ballincollig Irish player brigade will be led by Adrian O’Sullivan, Keelan Cairns, Sean McManus but one player who was out of the game last season will be returning.

“I am pleased to have Dylan Corkery back as he went to Australia and last season when returning he was injured and didn’t play but for me, he is like a new player back for us and hopefully will add some steel to our defence."

Ballincollig didn’t have the season projected last season so where did it all go wrong for them?

“I don’t really know but for me to be successful at this level you have got to have a tight-knit group at the top level and the recruitment of your professionals is really important.

Nice guys don’t win you championships." 

The first task was getting his American signings right. Latrell Jossell and Latavious Mitchell have come in with Josh Steel and Alberto Rodriguez as their Bosman recruits.

In the words of O’Sullivan, UCC Demons have nailed it regarding signing professionals in the last couple of seasons.

“To be fair Demons started with MJ Randolph and then got Elijah Tillman, Seventh Woods and Patrick Robinson, all top-class Americans that helped them be successful.” 

Ballincollig, league champions two seasons ago, have been busy playing in various pre-season games

“I'm pleased with the pros as they seem to be a good fit together and we have to be better than we were last season.

“The last couple of seasons have been a disaster in the Bosman department as we went with big men that simply didn’t do the job and cost the club.

“This season we went for a wing Bosman in Josh Steel, who played in England and I feel we will get a better return from him going forward.” 

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash with Limerick Celtics, the Ballincollig chief knows his side will face a tough task against the league newcomers.

“It’s a tough start because the league has improved in recent years. You can see the teams that won Division 1 like ourselves, Sligo, Eanna and UCC Demons have all made a serious impact when they reached the top tier.

“Looking at Limerick Celtics they ran the show in Division 1 last season and are battle tested so we know we will have to be ready or we could fail at the first hurdle.” 

BEST

This season, Limerick Celtics are playing at the UL Arena, much to the delight of O’Sullivan.

“I always liked playing at the UL Arena during my Demons playing days as it’s a proper Super League venue that should bring the best out of both teams.” 

When you are a player-coach having a good assistant is essential and O’Sullivan has the former UL Eagles coach Matt Hall at his side for the coming season.

“Matt is living in Limerick and as I am probably in my last season playing, I needed somebody strong on the line and I am delighted he agreed to come on board."

“Matt will be in Cork once a week and coach the games when I am on court and hopefully, we can make a big impact this season.”