Demons legend Carleton Cuff on a remarkable career at the top level of Irish basketball
Carleton Cuff, UCC Demons, in action against Rob Lynch, UL Eagles, in the 2012 Super League final. Picture: Brendan Moran/SPORTSFILE
Carleton Cuff recently retired from playing Super League basketball with UCC Blue Demons after playing for 20 years at the top level.
Cuff has had a trophy cabinet full of national medals. He won five leagues, five cups, four championships, three U17 Billy Kelly successes, one U20 National Cup and three U15 John Coughlan victories. That's alongside multiple local leagues, championships and other underage tournament honours.
However, winning the U20 National Cup is the trophy that is closest to his heart, because he won it with all the boys he played with since he started playing when he was nine years old.
“I started playing basketball when my mother Sinead brought me to the Parochial Hall to join Blue Demons academy under the great Seanie Murphy.
“I made some amazing friends with Shane O’Connell, Cathal Flaherty, Danny O’Mahony, David Murphy, Anthony 'Skoops' O’Callaghan and Niall Murphy as teammates. We soon became like a family and had an amazing underage career.
We stayed unbeaten under the late Peter Coughlan and Damien Kennedy, great coaches."
they won every trophy available.
"I was also lucky to win five Irish school titles with Micheal Horgan, Gary Walsh, Shane O’Connell, Skoops and Niall Murphy under coachs Dommie Mullins and the late Tony Hurley at the North Mon."
Carlton then began his Senior career at 16 years of age. It was at U18 level with his friends and under coach Pat Price is where he really started to show his leadership skills and became a real voice in the dressing room. Price is another coach that Cuff singles out for praise. He credits him for moulding him into the player and person he is today, which is a beautiful compliment to pay any coach.
"By the time I started playing minor, I was already involved with the senior team, as I was training and played the home games. The reason I didn’t travel to away games was that my grandmother Daly, who insisted that I concentrate on my schoolwork.
He had some amazing and very astute coaches.
"Pat, Colin and Douglas Leichner really made me see he game in a different way. They were so professional and organised on and off the court.
"We had an unbelievable and successful time under Douglas and Colin by winning two trebles, which was another highlight of my career, however, winning the U20 National Cup with the lads I started out with that gave me the most satisfaction."
Last season, Carleton enjoyed a unique milestone when he got to shared the court by playing at Super League level with his son and upcoming star Daryl. It was a testament to the longevity of Carleton.
“Last season was pretty weird for me as I was playing and training with my son Daryl in the Super League.
"In fairness Daryl is a great kid and I’m not saying that because his my son. He is already making a name for himself this season with some really impressive displays and has represented Ireland at different European Championships in the last couple of years, another thing that fills me with pride."
Cuff works for himself as a mason, which is a very physical job. When his body was breaking down at the end of last season, he knew he had to make the difficult decision to retire.
"I work for myself at a mason and after picking up different injuries towards the end of last season, I knew I had a decision to make this summer.
"I have a family to think about and I’m really thankful for my partner Charlene over the years, as I couldn’t have played as long without her total support.
"My plan is now enjoy some quality time with Charlene and my children Daryl, Brooklyn and Mai.
"I would like to coach at Super League level in the future."
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