Mullingar’s St Finian’s preparing for All-Ireland basketball final
St Finian’s College under 16 boys Basketball team go in search of their second All-Ireland title this year as they take on Coláiste Chu Chulainn of Dundalk in the league final in the National Basketball Arena next Friday 24 February at 1pm. St Finian’s, reigning All-Ireland Pinergy Division C Cup winners, will aim to make it a league and cup double but face very strong competition from a Dundalk side who play a very smart style of basketball aided by a physically strong team of young men.
St Finian’s trip to the All-Ireland final has seen them beat teams such as Moate, Wilson’s Hospital School and Athlone CC in the Midlands group stages before defeating Tullamore College in the semi’s and Scoil Chonglais in the Midlands regional final in Tallaght before Christmas. The round of 16 drew Finian’s against Luttrellstown, winning 78 - 30, setting up an All-Ireland quarter final and potential semi final played on the same day in the National Basketball Arena.
The quarter final against Causeway Comprehensive of Kerry posed the biggest challenge of the season so far with only 9 points separating the teams at the final whistle. When asked about the Causeway game Ryan Bell, under 16 Irish national squad player and MVP in the Cup final, said St Finian’s were too relaxed coming into the game. “We had beaten them well in the cup and we underestimated them. It’s not a mistake we are going to make again.”
A strong defensive team display against Merlin College of Galway in the semi final helped seal another final spot for the Mullingar team. Extremely strong displays from Rian Keaveney, Alex Walsh, Ciaran Connolly and Ryan Bell prevented Merlin College from establishing passing lanes while John Akinola and Andrzej Volusko Opala dominated underneath the basket, stopping Merlin College’s Irish national squad player from asserting himself into the game. St Finian’s missed the presence of Alfie Murray underneath the baskets through injury. At 6 ft 5’ Murray brought an ability to read the game, a towering presence on defense and a shot that many post players would wish for.
Speaking about the upcoming final, coach Billy Higgins was under no illusion of the task awaiting St Finian’s. “Coláiste Chú Chulainn will be the biggest challenge we will face this year,” he remarked.
“They have a calm approach to their game, they build slowly and patiently and can launch into a set play at any time. They are well coached and have a fantastic team spirit. If we want to really challenge them we will have to disrupt them from the start and stop them from playing the style they want. We also need to rally together and play as a team, play for each other. If we can do this, I think Coláiste Chu Chulainn are going to have their hands full with us.”