Basketball 2008-2009
1st and 2nd Year Basketball in Moyle Park 2009
The 1st and 2nd year basketball teams have finished a disappointing season where there was only one victory from the two teams.
Both teams started their campaign against Colásite Padraig, everyone played well but in the end they were overwhelmed by the opposition. The first years recorded their first win of their Moyle Park careers against Collinstown with a sizeable victory of 46-06. However the second years lost to Rathcoole the following week.
With nothing to play for in their last games the first and second years gave it their all against St David's who unfortunately in the end came out victorious.
"They trained very hard but they were unfortunate to come up against such good teams" was the response from their coach, Ms Kilcoyne.
Both teams have emerging talent among them and I look forward to seeing them on the court next school year.
Thomas Conway
Moyle Park College represent Dublin in Northern division of the Basketball All-Ireland Semi-Finals
On Saturday 28th February, four U-19 basketball teams gathered in St. Patrick's College, Ballymena, Co. Antrim to compete in the All-Ireland semi-final playoffs, for a place in the All-Ireland final. Moyle Park were the Dublin representatives following their participation in the County Final in December.
The "Moyler" lads faced an early start for the first of their three matches. Led out by co-captains Sean Mooney and Daniel Browne, they tipped off at 9.30am against the home team St. Pat's. It was a tough match from the very start, with St. Pat's using a full court press to take the sting out of Moyler's usual fast paced game. An early three pointer from Daniel Browne and crucial rebounds from Andrew Begley and Sean Mooney under the boards kept them in contention. However, the shooting skills of St. Pat's saw them stretch their lead. Moyler faced an up hill battle and changing their defence from zone to man-on-man limited the scoring of their opponents. They pulled back the score but St. Pat's early lead kept them ahead to the end.
With one match over Moyle Park needed to win against St. Muredach's of Ballina in order to stand a chance of qualifying. Phil Hannigan took control as ball carrier and Moyler got some early scores up on the board. Quick passes to Daniel Moran resulted in two three pointers in a row. Moyler stayed in contention throughout the match thanks to the superb scoring ability of Daniel Browne. However, Muredach's came back with determination in the last quarter and stretched their lead to 20 points. With the final blow of the whistle, Moyle Park were out of contention for the All-Ireland final place.
It is at this stage that the true pride and determination of the Moyle Park boys shone through. Determined to end their season on winning form they turned down the chance of a walkover and settled in to play their third match - 10 minutes after their second. Their opponents, St. Oliver's of Rathmullen, started strong and took an eight point lead at the end of the first quarter. Moyle Park felt the loss of their big post player Sean Mooney, who was forced to sit out the match due to injury. Thomas Conway took on the challenge of this position and teamed up with Andrew Begley to get some vital rebounds. Their fast passing allowed Ovidius Rakauskas and Daniel Brown to play the fast paced game that they prefer. By half time, Moyler were two points behind and it was all to play for. With pride at stake and excellent defensive work from Matthew Errity, Moyle Park went on the attack making score after score with little response from St. Oliver's. The final scoreline of 82 - 64 to Moyle Park was a fitting end to their tournament.
When asked about their team's performance, their coaches Yvonne Corscadden and Carmel Roche couldn't speak more highly of them. "They're a great team to work with. Their sense of pride and the way they work as a team is a tremendous example of what fine sportsmen they are. I am very proud of them"
Under 16's
The under 16s have one more match left in their disappointing season. They have only won two out of the five matches that they played so far with one left. Normally this would be enough as long as they won their last match, but this is not the case. Their group included Collinstown (lost), Kings Hospital (won), Colaiste Phádraig (lost), Rathcoole (won), St. Davids of Artane (lost).
They have a new coach this year as Ms. Cahalane is on maternity leave. Ms. Corscaden is the new coach. Their star players this year were Luke Bowden and Thomas Conway. Those who also improved greatly this year are Gavin O'Brien, Mervil and Wilson.
Thomas Conway
Basketball 2006-2007
Under 16's and Under 19's
This year's league for u-16s and u-19s is starting on Wednesday the 11th of October with both teams fit and ready for the league ahead of them. After a disappointing season last year both teams should be very determined to be on top of the league this year. The first game to start of the league for both u-19s and 16s is against Rathcoole on the 11th of October in Moyle Park College and then the following week both teams will be playing team Dublin Og away.
Daniel Moran
1st and 2nd Year Basketball Teams
This year Ms.Kilcoyne and Ms.Roche are in charge of the first 1st and 2nd year basketball teams. In recent years the basketball teams have done very well and have gone all the way to winning the all Ireland. Both teams are looking forward to the upcoming season. The upcoming season will start after Christmas with training resuming before Christmas. Both Ms.Kilcoyne and Ms.Roche are hoping to reach the lengths of yesteryear.
Darren Murphy
Basketball 2005-2006
Moyle Park College hosted the annual Jump for Joy basketball fundraising event for Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. There were students from all years participating each of whom collected at least €30. Those who jumped for joy received a free t-shirt too.
The students raised €5,450 and the cheque was presented to a representitive from Our Lady's Hospital. On the day there were basketball competitions, including shootouts and a football freestyle competition in which both students and teachers participated. Prizes were awarded throughout the day to the winners but the day was about more than winning. It was about helping the brave children of Our Lady's Hospital.
Our photograph shows 6th Year student Nicholas Emmet at the Jump for Joy event in the school sports' hall.
Report by Dean Alford
County Finals
On Tuesday April 4th, the First and Second Year basketball teams from Moyle Park, coached by Ms. Cahalane and Ms. Roche, competed in the East Regional Basketball Finals, in Killester Basketball Club, Greendale. The 2nd Years were hoping to put to bed the demons of last year's final defeat, while the1st Years faced a schools final for the first time
Moyle Park 56, Chanel College 40 (2nd Year)
Cheered on by a gang of supporters, the 2nd years were first on court against Chanel College, Coolock in the Junior "A" final. The team started as they left off in Newbridge in the semi-finals by commanding the first quarter leading 13-1. But the second quarter started badly with Moyle PArk conceding two 3-point scores both by Coolocks no. 10 inside the first minute but still held control of the game at half time with a 26-13 lead.
In third, Moyle Park took the game by the scruff of the neck, with thanks to Carlos Vasquez and made all but certain of the win with a 48-26 lead, heading into the final quarter. In the fourth quarter, Moyle Park took the foot off the pedal but still held onto a big 56-40 win to take the cup and head onto the All-Ireland Qualifiers in May as East Regional Champions.
Moyle Park 27, Colaiste Eanna 47 (1st Year)
In contrast the first year side had a difficult match against Colaiste Eanna, well known for having a great sporting history.
After a poor start Moyle Park found themselves 12-2 down and only for some Eanna misses it could have been worse.
But the team woke up in the second, mainly thanks to Adam Quirke, and made the score line decent looking at half time at 22-13.
In the third, both sides traded scores to keep it a tense finish at 32-23. But Eanna's skill took over in the fourth quarter and would go on to win the cup 47-27. Even though they lost the team still qualifies for the All-Ireland Qualifiers. We wish both teams the best of luck and hope they make it to Tallaght's Arena in May for the Finals.
Dean Alford
2nd Year Basketball
On Fr
iday 24th of March, the 2nd year basketball team, under the guidance on Ms. Roche and Ms. Cahalane, booked their place in the county final, but not after leaving it late against Newbridge in the semi-finals out in Newbridge. After leaving it late against St. Fintans in the quarterfinals, the last thing the school team needed was another struggle but Newbridge were never going to be easy opponents considering they had home advantage.
In the first quarter you would think the Moyle Park team had slept on the journey down, as Newbridge player Chris Lai was decisive in punishing lacklustre marking and put Newbridge 16-8 up. Ms. Cahalane called an early time-out to sort the team out. From the time-out at the end of the first quarter, Moyle Park started to wake up and show signs of the team that was unbeaten in competition this season. Vital in this revival was Ovidius, top scorer on the day. In the third quarter the school team took control with six scores in quick succession which saw them take a 35-38 lead into the fourth and final quarter. The final quarter was a spectacle for a neutral with both sides scoring one after the other with Moyle Park leading by 1 point with twenty-one seconds left on the clock. Despite four fouls and two free throw shots missed, they hung on to book their place in the county final.The second year team now join the first year team in the county finals who are also unbeaten. We will keep you up to date on both fixtures in the next few weeks. Let's wish the teams all the best and hope they can add to the numerous All-Ireland titles the school has won, including the Second Year title last year.
Photo of Ms Cahalane and report by Dean Alford
Click on the image (left) to view a video of the match prepared by Dean Alford.
1st and 2nd Year Basketball
Oatlands College 4, Moyle Park College 11 (1st Year)
The 1st year basketball team came out victorious in their first game of the league against Oatlands College in an away match on Wednesday 1st March. Things were looking good in the first quarter when Dean Farrell scored a stunning first basket. Soon afterwards Oatlands came back with an equaliser, but Moyle Park did not give up so easily. In the second quarter Corey O'Neill scored one of the two frees conceded to Moyle Park.
Victory for Moyle Park was looking inevitable when Ciaran scored yet another magnificent basket. Victory was imminent when scores came rolling in for Moyle Park. When the game finished, it was a glorious victory for Moyle Park. Let's hope it is a sign of things to come.
Dean Whelan (1st Year)
Moyle Park 48, Oatlands College 22 (1st Year)
On Tuesday 22nd February, the 1st year basketball team played Oatlands ollege in the school P.E. hall. The school team cannot afford to lose one more name. They have won two games out of three. The game started at one o'clock. In the first quarter Moyle Park dominated the play. The score at the end of the first quarter was Moyle Park 12 Oatlands 2. Moyle Park were never to lose their lead. Ovidijus Rakaukas was the top scorer in the match with 20 points. He was on fire. He made some great shots; his best a great 3 pointer near the sideline. Other players to play well included Graham Coogan, Sean Nolan and Conor Crosby.
Adam Kinsella (1st Year)
Moyle Park 60, Oatlands College 12 (2nd Year)The 2nd year team went into this match as favourites as they have won three out of three in their recent games. They have won each match by at least 30 points. The home team dominated the ad there were plenty of great plays and great points. Carlos Sanchez had a great game. No one could touch him throughout the game. He not only scored, he also defended well. Another good player on the day was Andrew Begley. Last year this team reached the All-Ireland semi-finals. This year, if they continue to play as well, they could be the All-Ireland champions.
Adam Kinsella (1st Year)
Moyle Park 42, Marian College 41 (1st Year)
Moyle Park 52, Marian College 02 (2nd Year)The first and second years have had a great start with both achieving victory against Marian College. Man of the match performances were turned out by Ovidijus Rakaukus in the 1st year match and Karlo Vasquez in the second year match.
Under 16's and Under 19's
Moyle Park under 16 and under 19 teams played local rivals Rathcoole in an A League fixture on Wednesday 16th November. The under 16 team started off first and started brightly wih Karlo Vasquez leading by example, but Rathcoole started to fight back. Sadly the under 16 team lost the match by 6 points.
However the under 19 team started well and did not take their foot off the gas. Players such as Ben Mahony, Shane Lanigan and Jamie McCarthy had strong performances. Moyle Park won the game by 17 points.
November 17th: Moyle Park played St. Benildas and were dominated from the tip off. But we started to claw back with good performances from Roy and Ben Mahony and Matthew Nolan. However it came too late and we lost by 15 points.
Under 16's: Moyle Park 49, Colaiste Eanna 43
Moyle Park took the lead in the first half of their lague match. A smashing 3 pointer from Karlo Vasquez saw them extend their lead in the second quarter. Daniel White had a brilliant game scoring a lovely basket in the second quarter. However at half time both teams were level on the scoreboard. Moyle Park were eager to win the match. Gary Kavanagh also scored a smashing three pointer. Then we were in the lead with 28 points to 23 points. David Moran also had a good game when he came on. In the last two seconds Roy Mahony scored and brought us up to 49 points with the oppositon on 43. And that's how it ended.
We wish the team all the best in the next game.
Karl O'Neill (3rd Year)
Under 19's : Moyle Park 42, Marian College 36
In a match that started at one o'clock in the Moyle Park College Sports' Hall, the under-19 team gave a very strong performance, apart from a shaky third quarter. Even with injuries to important players, Moyle Park were in control throughout most of the match. Although we expected to beat them, it does not take away from a good performance.
Our next match is against Colaiste Eoin, the all-Ireland champions. But we remain confident. Watch this space.
Ben Mahony (5th Year)
Basketball News
Moyle Park's
under-16 and under-19 basketball teams played recently against Templeogue College. The under-16 team played very well in the first half and dominated. But they looked tired in the last quarter. In the end they won by a point.
The under-19's were run ragged from the start. At the end of the first quarter they were losing 24-2. But they slowly progressed to make a game of it and were three points away from leveling with the Templeogue team who are the reigning all-Ireland champions. In the end the Templeogue team won by 6 points.
Moyle Park did what it has always done and walked off the court proud of their performance. Our photo shows TY basketball player, Fei Wang..
Shane Lanigan (TY)
2nd Year Basketball - All Ireland Champions
STOP PRESS! Last year's All Ireland Final was won by Moyle Park when they defeated Colaiste na Phiarsaigh from Cork in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on the 12th of May. Read a report on the final from the Basketball Ireland - Show News - Season 2004/2005.
The 2nd year squad began their initial training in October but the season began in earnest in January with victories against Mount Temple and Colaiste Coilim. Despite an early defeat by Ard Scoil Ris , the second years emerged from their pool and into the semi-finals against Templeogue whom they defeated. The second year county final was a closely fought contest between Moyle Park and their earlier opponents from the leagus, Ard Scoil Ris. Despite a valiant effort, a strong opposition proved too much on the day as we were forced to settle for second place. However, our presence in the county final was enough to see us included in the All Ireland qualifying weekend in Castleblaney.
The first match was a decisive victory against Summerhill of Sligo. This was followed by a defeat at the hands of the home team of Castleblaney. After these mixed fortunes, Moyle Park progressed to the next day as runners-up in their pool. Our match against St Jarlaths of Tuam was a close one and with seven seconds to go it was still anyone's game. We held our nerve and emerged as victors. After a two hour break we were ready for the biggest test of the tournament, the All Ireland semi-final. Our opposition was our old rivals, Ard Scoil Ris who were the favourites, having beaten us twice. We had other ideas, fought bravely and emerged victorious.
And so to the final... All-Ireland Champions.
Click first button to hear the basketball.
