This weekend sees the 5th annual Kilkenny Masters (Over 40’s & 50’s) Basketball Tournament taking place in three venues around the city.
The 32 teams participating in this prestigious event are traveling from Cork, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Dublin, Offaly, Carlow, Cavan, Laois, Wexford, Waterford and of course Kilkenny. And the 3 teams over from England hail from Yorkshire, Bristol & Birmingham.
There will be over 350 players and officials taking part during the three days of sporting action, with the equally important social night out in Paris Texas on a Saturday evening. It goes to show the importance of well-being and health & fitness for adults who wish to continue playing sports into their forties and fifties.
The action gets underway in O’Loughlin Gaels this Friday evening (3rd March) from 7.30 pm, with the Kilkenny ladies’ 40’s team of Marble City Mayfairs taking on Vixens of Dublin to compete for the Seamus Walsh Cup. Straight after are the Kilkenny men’s 40’s team up against Ballina of Mayo, with new recruit Puff Summers added to the local line-up and is sure to impress on the Master’s stage. As well as being the current Assistant Coach of the Ireland Men’s basketball team, Puff has recently been playing Superleague with Dublin outfit Templeogue. The Lar Murphy Memorial Cup is at stake for the eventual winners in this category.
Speaking to KCLR Scoreline, event organiser Noel Murphy had this to say
“The Kilkenny Masters 2023 basketball tournament takes place this weekend in Loretto Gym, St. Kieran’s College, and O’Loughlin Gales. The action kicks off this evening in the O’Loughlins at 7:30, Tournament has gone from strength to strength as we enter the fifth year of hosting in Kilkenny. “
The Mayor of Kilkenny David Fitzgerald will also be in attendance in O’Loughlin’s to officially open the tournament, along with U11 boys & girls Kilkenny Stars teams playing beforehand, which promises to entertain supporters.
The bulk of the games take place on Saturday, spread across O’Loughlin Gaels, Loreto & St. Kieran’s halls from 9 am to 5 pm. The finals then take place in the same venues on Sunday and will be streamed live on www.basketballireland.tv
You can check out their website and Facebook page for more details, www.kilkennymasters.ie
Entry is free and all are encouraged to come along and see the action.
The Marble City Hawks ladies National League team will be providing a catering service at each venue to help fundraise for their club and your support will be greatly appreciated.
