Presentation College Carlow on the cusp of All-Ireland Schools Basketball Cup glory

Presentation College Carlow are on the brink of landing this season’s All-Ireland Under 16B Boys Schools Basketball Cup title having secured their place in this month’s decider in the National Basketball Arena where they will face off against Kildare Town Community School.

Coached by sixth-year student, Calum Joyce, the team has enjoyed a superb campaign, the latest stop having seen them beat Edmund Rice College 50-33 in the semi-finals played in University of Limerick in the week before Christmas.

For Presentation Carlow team manager, Orla O’Driscoll, that victory, in itself, was a memorable occasion, as she told The Carlow Nationalist “That was a huge opportunity for the boys to play there, and there was fierce excitement when we came back, having won.

“The boys got clapped into the school when they came back from University of Limerick after we won that semi-final.

“They're brilliant. They train twice a week after school, even though they have their other commitments, their other sports outside of schools basketball, so they're very dedicated.

“We have 13 on our panel and, out of that squad, six are club players who play for Carlow Basketball Club. Their coach is a sixth-year student here, Calum Joyce, and he also plays for Carlow basketball.

“They’re all so committed and even the non-club players are very dedicated, and they're very excited because the Cup final will be played in the National Basketball Arena. They're all really looking forward to that,” she said.

The All-Ireland Under 16B Schools Cup decider will see Presentation College face off against a Kildare Town Community School team who will certainly have the bit between their teeth, having twice lost out to their Carlow rivals in both the All-Ireland League group stages and regional final.

Both teams are still through to the play-offs for that competition and could very well meet again should they progress to the semi-finals.

Presentation Carlow will host their respective All-Ireland League play-off group on Thursday 8 January when they entertain St. Flannan's College of Ennis and an Edmund Rice College side, looking to avenge their All-Ireland Cup semi-final exit.

It helps make for a busy start to the year for the Carlow side, with these play-offs being quickly followed by their All-Ireland Cup title match on Wednesday 21 January.

Yet O’Driscoll believes the players have the potential to make it a memorable month for the school, especially with head coach, Joyce leading the way.

“The team has done really well so far this season,” she said. 

“The club players work very well together, so it's been a matter of gelling the non-club players with them, but Calum is doing an amazing job with the boys. He really is.

“He came on board with us last year. He's very passionate about basketball, he's extremely knowledgeable as well and he's a natural coach.

“He's able to read the game of basketball so well. He's extremely knowledgeable and the boys wouldn't be half the distance they are today without Calum.

“We also have to keep in mind that he's a sixth-year student, so he gives up an awful lot of his time, and that doesn't go unappreciated or unnoticed. The boys are very appreciative of Calum.

“He's fantastic. And Vinnie Homan, who set up Carlow Basketball and teaches here in Pres’, has been a fantastic support.

“He’s there the whole time, working quietly behind the scenes, always ready to give advice, always ready to give support,” she added.

PRESENTATION COLLEGE CARLOW: Ben Nolan, Ross Egan, Cathal Renehan, Harry Ryan, Zuxin Huang, Denisas Ribinskis, Jamaal Adegoke, Temi Adetoro, Angelo Cunningham, Mael O’Rock, Bevan Petersen, Noel Butler, Quincey Ogbuka.