History was made by a Laois secondary school last week as they claim All-Ireland U-16 League bronze medals.
Mountmellick Community School’s boys team claimed the prize in the ‘B’ grade for the first time ever.
And the achievement means that the team will enter the ‘A’ section for the first time ever next season.
This group came together in First Year and reached the All-Ireland ‘C’ quarter final where they were beaten by a school from Clonmel.
They returned in Second Year and enjoyed a much more fruitful year – becoming All-Ireland champions after defeating Nord Anglia International School in the final.
That meant that they began this year as a ‘B’ school and the age grade moved up to U-16.
This allowed the group to add Borna Jozic (Captain) and Luke Dempsey, who are both in TY, to the squad.
They were vital additions as the team was without Eoghan Lalor who had made a crucial contribution in helping the team win an All-Ireland last year.
Mountmellick CS entered the Basketball Ireland Cup for the first team and reached the quarter final – losing out to Salesians Pallaskenry of Limerick.
Salesians went on to win the Cup so when Mountmellick were pitted against them in the All-Ireland league quarter final on Friday, they knew they were up against it.
But the lads played their hearts out and came out winners by seven points – 44-37.
That sent them to an All-Ireland semi final against Colaiste Na Hínse of Bettystown.
While they battled bravely, the lads just came out on the wrong side of a close game and their journey was over – albeit with bronze medals secured.
Speaking about the achievement, coach Mags McLouglin thanked everyone involved.
She said: “This was a huge team effort by everybody, it was just phenomenal and assistant coaches, Transition Year students Joe Conroy and Oran Masterson were great help and support.
”While my fellow coach Eavan Delaney was incredible. We also need to mention Danny Garcia.
“He was a foreign exchange student from Spain who was with us until Christmas and played a massive role. His medal is in the post.
“I can’t leave out our other two Gaisce helpers from Transition Year, Dylan Cronin, who was absolutely fantastic on our social media keeping the school back home updated and also Ronan James who has been a great water boy and jersey man and helper as well.
“The supporters on the day were just phenomenal, best I think supporters we’ve ever, ever had and so they have to be commended for their cheers, their posters, their signs, everything, their chants.
“We’ve gone from being C last year to B this year and we now are in A next year.
“it’s going to be difficult, boys need to get into clubs, only two members of the team are club basketballers so it just shows that with work and dedication from the boys that you can achieve so much.
“The commitment from the lads was amazing. Most of them were meant to sit Mock exams on Friday and now have to do them again this week instead.
“So I also want to wish them well in that and with their Junior Cert in the summer too.
“I also want to thank our many sponsors. Our jerseys were sponsored by Declan and Noelle Hughes Insulation while shooter tops were sponsored by Eimear and Ken McEvoy.”
MOUNTMELLICK COMMUNITY SCHOOL: Borna Jozic (Captain), Gerald Anetor, Dan White, Luke Dempsey, Shay McEvoy, Dylan Halpenny, Oisín McRedmond, Conor Heffernan, Kaden Dalton, Tadhg Hughes, Callum Grehan, Jack Mullins, David Hickey, Kyle Dunne, Shane O’Reilly, Danny Garcia
COACHES: Mags McLoughlin and Eavan Delaney
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