Carlow's Tomlinson twins capped for Irish Masters Basketball team
Basketball stars, twins Deirdre and Grainne Tomlinson
Two Carlow basketballers who play with Portlaoise Panthers were on the Irish Federation of Masters Basketball Association (FIMBA) Team which took part in the Maxibasketball World Championships in Ticino, Switzerland recently. Twin sisters, Grainne and Deirdre Tomlinson had undergone a long series of trial matches and practice sessions.
“The team was announced following trials which started in January. There was a large panel and that was reduced to 20 before the team of 12 was announced in May,” explained Deirdre Tomlinson who lives in Carlow while her sister, Grainne, is based in Portlaoise now.
Ireland lost their opening game (64-49) to Germany’s first team but bounced back with a convincing 111-31 win against Brazil B. They went on to beat Germany’s B team and then knocked, Switzerland, the hosts out of the tournament in the quarter-final. Ireland won that game 70-46. They progressed to the final after a 78-73 win against Brazil A. Germany A won the final (71-51) bringing an end to an extremely successful campaign which saw Ireland take the silver medal.
Both players have been involved with Masters Basketball in the past but they could take nothing for granted about their over 45s selection this year. Those players who made the final cut had to earn their place.
“It was absolutely amazing. There were six girls from last year’s 40s team “That was amazing. We were really lucky. You had to prove yourself all over again with a new coach, Sergio Fernandez who is with the new Templeogue club in Dublin.” With Portlaoise so well represented it was something to savour for all four players.
“In terms of all the big clubs in Dublin, it was special to have four from the one club on it,” said Deirdre who is hoping to extend her Irish career for another few years yet.
“Next year is Athens for the Europeans and the year after it is Brazil for the worlds. If I have two legs I will give it a go,” she says.
Ireland over 45s team Catherine Ashe (Captain) (Portlaoise Panthers), Ann-Marie Troy (Portlaoise Panthers), Claire Walsh (Dublin Raiders), Deirdre Tomlinson (Portlaoise Panthers), Denise Walsh-Lyons (St. Bridget’s Currow), Ellie Curran (St. Vincent’s Dublin), Georgina Martin (Claregalway BC), Grainne Tomlinson (Portlaoise Panthers), Jo O’Keeffe (Bantry), Mary Cunniffe (Claregalway BC), Michelle Cahalane (Meteors Dublin), Treasa Howell (Vice Captain) (Tullamore)
