by Niamh O’Connor
Basketball is a fast paced, exciting and entertaining sport that requires teamwork, speed and endurance. This particular sport has a long tradition in Moyvane. Started off initially by Padraig O’Connor in the parish, since then it has been going strong with may fine players and teams originating from the club, with many of these players going on to play for secondary schools such as Presentation Convent, Listowel and Tarbert Comprehensive, where their talents flourished. Some players achieving glory at county level and even some international talent has come from the remote village of Moyvane, which is indeed an honour and a tribute to the coaches. Many girls from the parish have been involved with All-lreland winning school teams and have brought many an All-lreland medal to Moyvane.I have very memorable experiences of basketball in Moyvane. Training every Saturday and taking part in local blitz and community games tournaments. Tournaments were great social events for all the players involved, at which we made many friends and picked up a few rivals along the way too. All tournaments were played in a very sporting manner and generally enjoyable days out. During primary school I always had a keen interest in basketball. My hobby became more serious when I was selected for the Kerry team to play for Ireland, with which I recently took part in the Four Countries Tournament in Scotland.
I would not be where I am to-day if it wasn’t for the coaches I had in Moyvane. Some of the past coaches in Moyvane include Padraig O’Connor, Amanda, Lisa and Muriel O’Riordan, Carmel Fitzmaurice, Leona Fitzmaurice and Aoife Keane. To them great credit is due. Their commitment and dedication down through the years has been amazing and without them basketball would be nothing in Moyvane.
Basketball has always provided great entertainment in Moyvane and is a past-time of many Primary school children in Moyvane now. The achievement of teams and individual players from our small club have been phenomenal, and the tradition is still going strong. Hopefully it will stay this way in the future.
