BASKETBALL HASN’T BEEN the hottest sporting ticket for some years now but with a sell-out crowd due in the National Basketball Arena, tonight’s SuperLeague Cup finals can claim top billing.
LeBron James and the Miami Heat it ain’t but once upon a time, full houses were the norm in the Irish game. For those who care to remember, the crowds in Tallaght tonight will be a throwback to that halcyon heyday when basketball was the sexiest show in town and halls and gyms around the country were quite literally packed to the rafters.
Those were the days when Neptune ruled all, locked in rivalry with their city rivals Demons. They were kings of the boards when they won three national cups in the space of five years, but tonight the Cork giants will have to upset defending men’s champions UL Eagles if they are to scratch a 21-year itch and reclaim the cup for the first time since 1992.
Neptune’s glorious treble coincided with the final fling of an era in which their legendary American star Terry Strickland, along with the imported talents of Jasper McElroy, Ray Smith, Kelvin Troy, Mario Elie and Deora Marsh, became household names and propelled the sport into its prime.
“There was something otherworldly about them,” says journalist Kieran Shannon, author of Hanging from the Rafters and one of the team behind We Got Game, a new documentary on this golden age which airs tonight on Setanta Sports.
YouTube Credit: setantasportsireland
It focuses on those larger-than-life characters who, having played their way into the top percentile of America’s competitive college ranks, narrowly missed out on their dream NBA deal and began to look elsewhere for places where they could get paid for playing the sport they love. Elie, who played with Killester in Dublin, eventually returned home where he won three NBA rings with the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs; Dave Hopla braved Belfast during the time of the Troubles and is now one of world’s top shooting coaches with superstar names like Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony on his CV.
Others, like Marsh, could never leave their second home; he still lives in Ballina, County Mayo with his wife and family.
“We maybe weren’t aware of how close they were to the big time,” Shannon recalls. “I remember overhearing the odd time where someone would say ‘these guys weren’t good enough in America, they’re rejects.’ But when you consider the talent pool, that’s like saying Jamie Heaslip is a reject because he’s not in a World XV.
We maybe underappreciated it to an extent but at the same time, there was hero worship as well.
These American imports were not only the poster boys but the drivers of a period of unprecedented popularity for Irish basketball. Scheduling the documentary’s debut to immediately follow live coverage of tonight’s two finals — UL Huskies play Team Montenotte Hotel in the women’s decider — should ensure a captive TV audience but will most likely provoke another round of hand-wringing for some.
The legendary Deora Marsh in action.
The freakish bubble popped after a majority of clubs voted to reduce the number of Americans to one per team from the 1988/1989 season onwards. The crowds and the sponsors quickly disappeared too. Much like League of Ireland soccer looking longingly over its shoulder at a glorious past, many involved in the modern game — including current Basketball Ireland chief executive Bernard O’Byrne — see no signs of a legacy left over from the glory days.
Shannon disagrees and points to Mark Keenan and Mark Scannell, the coaches on opposite sides of tonight’s men’s final, as evidence to the contrary.
“They were kids that didn’t necessarily grow up in basketball backgrounds. Where they came from, they were kids themselves who grew up idolising players from that era, like the Jaspers.
Basketball itself could have done a lot more with the legacy from the 80s but that’s not the fault of the 80s. I remember [former Ireland coach] Joey Boylan a few years ago saying that the 80s left a legacy and that a lot of the people who now coach it and play it and have a passion for it were children of the 80s. The legacy was mishandled but that’s not to say it had no legacy.
Basketball in this country will never reach those heights again; now Ireland doesn’t even have a men or women’s senior national team following the decision to disband them in 2009 due to financial difficulties.
But the 80s boom is a warped yardstick. Far from despondent, Shannon sees pointers that there has been a mini-revival of late. For starters the decision to move the national semi-finals weekend back to Neptune Stadium, originally proposed in 2010 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the arena’s opening, was a resounding success.
The two great rivals of yesteryear, Neptune and Demons, played out an inter-city derby in front of a packed crowd and the weekend has remained a calendar staple since.
“It took a Neptune-Demons rivalry,” Shannon says. “The momentum that you have now — that the cup has been revamped — that’s part of the legacy of the 80s.”
Those on planet Neptune need no reminder of their epic past nor of their long wait for another cup. Tonight they take their shot again.
Nivea Women’s SuperLeague Cup Final
- UL Huskies v Team Montenotte Hotel Cork (6.45pm)
Nivea for Men’s SuperLeague Cup Final
- UL Eagles v Bord Gáis Neptune (8.45pm)
Both finals will be broadcast live this evening on Setanta Ireland. We Got Game, directed by Garry Keane and produced by Motive Television, screens immediately afterwards at 10.30pm on Setanta Ireland.
Good to see this is a strong selection from Leinster. Need as close to full strength as possible to get playing again before the Quins game. Disappointed Frawley isn’t given the keys at 10 I must say. Lee Barron and Milne are both fit, and travelled I believe, but not selected as they are leaving. Same isn’t applied to Ross Byrne. In any case, he’s played well recently so Frawley needs to show when he comes on that he should start a week later.
@Carmine Lorenzo: I would actually rather see RB at 10 now, has shown well recently and Frawley just doesn’t have time in the saddle there this season to fill me with confidence. Perfect for 6/2 bench this weekend though
@Carmine Lorenzo: I think the 6/2 bench lends itself to Frawley as a replacement. You couldn’t go the other way round. At least if there is an injury, Frawley comes in to any one of 3 positions where if Byrne was on the bench you would have to disrupt your 10 and bugger up the weeks prep. Having said that, I am happy enough to have Ross at 10. He played well last time out and also nailed all his kicks. That could be important in what is likely to be a tight game. Certainly won’t be a repeat of 2 years ago.
@adizlack93: yeah I’d agree there. The time in the saddle is the important part. Frawley didn’t have a great showing vs Cardiff/ospreys (can’t remember which) and then Ross was good in the most recent game against one of them.
@Paul Ennis: yeah you’re right the 6-2 is likely a big part of this, particularly given they will be at altitude. I’ve no problem with Ross starting either however, he played well last time around. He seems to have overcome that place kicking hump that seemed to be affecting him too. How are you calling this? Finding it very hard! Altitude a big big factor, although we flew there last Saturday as I understand, so hopefully acclimated well by now. Will be a tight one score game, which the Bull might just edge.
@Carmine Lorenzo: yeah, it was Ospreys he played pretty poorly against during the fallow week and Ross played well against Cardiff. Frawley just isn’t given the chance to string together appearances at 10
Cullen doing his very best to get rid of frawley.
@chris mcdonnell: he’s possibly the best player in Ireland for the bench role in a 6-2 split other than Barrett
Had been curious to see who Leinster would play in this game. Normally they announce the touring squad, but this year no mentioned.
Glad to see Boyle, Mangan, Culhane, A. Osbourne, Cooney, and the O’Briens involved.
Would have liked to see Gus Mc at 2, Clarkson at 3, Frawley at 10 and J. Osbourne at 12. As well as Tector on the bench.
Don’t get the point of playing Ross B.
@Andrew: This tour is always seen as 2 games with a rotation of players… with Harlequins in 2 weeks time, Snyman & Barrett will be heading back to Dublin early. My guess is that Frawley will start next week, so will Gus and Charlie. If we pick up a couple of losing bonus points, or even 1 win it will be a hugely successful tour.
That’s probably the strongest side Leinster have put out on South African soil.
@SimonT: I thought this would have been a weaker side going by history when leinster went to SA. Still think the timing of the SA tour for leinster needs to change
@SimonT: Except maybe a certain URC SF last year!!
@SimonT: I think the side beaten by the Bulls last year was considerably stronger.
Strong bulls outfit , am expecting 4 from 4 this weekend from the S’effricans …bulls should take this , very strong pack starting and in reserve, good to see Willie back at 15…stormers, sharks all starting t0 get their front runners back from long injury. Am expecting a surge from the saffas in this last strength and in to the playoffs (hopefully all 4 sides)…lions to do the business tonight against cardif, cmon lions ….
@Stuart: last stretch
@Stuart: that’s a very good leinster side considering the Irish players missing. I’d not be too confident if I were you.
@chris mcdonnell: well frawley is there. He likes an old dropkick at the death. Should be a good one :)
@Stuart: yep bulls probably win,but then in fairness not a lot lrinster can do when 3 years in a row leinster send a weak enough team,lets face it snyman and barrett aside none of the others will start v harlequins bar injury
@David Clarke: there is loads Leinster can do, they can send a feckin team down to SA..:)
@Stuart: Bulls definitely favourites… but there is a solid spine to this Leinster team through Snyman – McGrath – Byrne – Barrett – J O’Brien. Plenty of experience there and a few upstarts to help cause a small upset. Osborne and T O’Brien both have a bit of gas and Culhane has a monster performance bursting to get out of him. Conney and Boyle were excellent last time out. This could be the game for Leinster to close out 1st spot.
@Stuart: Looking through the Bulls team I would have expected something stronger.
A lot of injuries then?
The bench looks better than the starting team.
And what’s going on at flyhalf? Looking through the guys history he looks like a journeyman scrumhalf.
@Stuart: he’s covering injures so that won’t be at 10.
@Barry Moran: a few , goose , Peterson , moodie (arendse) on loan in Japan, elrigh low, nortje injured , yes agree big call with the 10…the halfbacks are the weak link , when Pollard arrives in July should plug that hole. Still a pretty decent side
@Paul Ennis: yes agree, I can see that, pretty decent side in comparison to what has previously been sent, should be a good one :)
@Stuart: Big ask to come away with full points, very hard game for Leinster at attitude, strong Bulls team too who probs have been waiting all year for this scalp. Still loadsa points in the bank for Leinster so would be “a mere flesh wound”… pressure at second spot tho, Glasgow probs beat us (barr a decent performance). The Bulls at Altitude first is good thing, Sharks are at sea level, maybe thats the easier of the 2 (if you can call it that). Means it’s probs to be quite close in the top 4.
@Thesaltyurchin: agreed, it’s going to be a tight run in that top 4. Tonight will be tough for Munster but the rest of their games all look winnable …for the bulls and sharks they should at least win all their home games so 4 from 6 going forward …the stormers have a lot of long-term injuries back and are looking near back to full strength which will make a massive difference ..I think they are going to fly up table and finish around 6th.. and you are right, Leinster dopping points in SA doesn’t really make any difference ..they are still primed to top the league ..I however would somehow like to see them in SA at full strength in the knockouts (my own selfish ask) ha
@Stuart: possibly you are correct but the Glasgow game is one Glasgow have earmarked to go all out for. All teams see Leinster as the “big scalp” in our league. I think Leinster need to take points home from SA to guarantee top spot.
@Stuart: Make no mistake, Leinster are absolutely targeting points down here, no question. The Irish 6N contingent gets stood down for 1-2 weeks after the tournament so this is, arguably, as strong a side as they could put out. So that says everything re their priorities for this. Tomorrow will be a close run game, hopefully closer than last June. Hard to see Leinster winning however. And if you want to see them at full strength, then tell the organisers to stop putting their SA tour right after the 6N every year!
@Oliver Curley: If Leinster take any points away from SA, top spot IS guaranteed. Glasgow cannot afford to target one game, they need to win 5 from 5 with 4 bonus points to even have a sniff of taking top spot on the last weekend. Leinster can drop 11 points in those same 5 games and still be 3 points clear going into that last game. 0 points from SA would be a set back but not the disaster it was last year.
I think Ross is just a safer bet right now than Frawley.
A win here is close to guaranteeing top spot so worth a bit of extra effort but not worth compromising anything for the champions cup.
I expect the experienced core of this team will be shipped home after and we’ll see the usual kids game next week.
@Barry Moran: safer? We are so far ahead in the league actually having a go would be the better tactic. Gunne and frawley taking them on with Barrett and the O’Briens outside would be worth seeing. Mcgrath and byrne are slow and predictable, I’ll admit Mcgrath is suited to our new style but he doesn’t allow the ball to go wide quickly.
@chris mcdonnell: A win here and the next four games are complete freebies to play whoever they like.
Drop both of these sa games with no points and Glasgow have a window to take top spot in the last round.
I know you’ve got your prejudices but surely even you can see from recent performances that the odds of winning are far greater with bryne over frawley right now.
@Barry Moran: sorry but I don’t see that.
@chris mcdonnell: did Ross Byrne steal sweets from you when you were a child or something? . He’s moving on, any chance you could ????
@David Leahy: I just don’t want to see the same mistakes this year as we have had for the past 4 seasons.
Leinster side looks a lot stronger than the touring party last year. Anyone know if the bulls are at full strength?
@Mark O’Keeffe: they put out their strongest team but have some injuries
Does anyone know if Paddy McCarthy is injured.
This match would have been great experience for him.
@Michael Maher: yeah injured I think. Raging as this tour could have offered a great platform for him to show what he can do. Showed well off the bench recently against the Welsh sides
@Carmine Lorenzo: I was also very impressed by the TH (McGuire I think) he looks like a big man, good in the scrum and made a couple of great turnovers.
@Michael Maher: Yeah McGuire is a great prospect alright. I’m really disappointed we’re losing him to Ulster.
@Michael Maher: McGuire is heading North this summer
@Carmine Lorenzo: makes wayfor teh freak of nature that is Smyth. He will be (if he maintains his fitness) a star player for both club and country. What he did last year in the Sct as a prop I have never witnessed before at schools level.
Why isn’t Jack Boyle’s brother starting?
@Ben Breathnach: They’re holding him back for next week’s game
Losing bonus point and/or a try bonus point the target given how the table sits. Anything more is a bonus.
Assume Slimani, Snyman and Barrett in particular will all be on a plane asap after the game ends.
It is a good Leinster side, but it is 25 Celsius and 64% humidity as well as the elevation. It might be a tall order. Losing BP in both games or one win should be enough to secure home advantage in knockouts. I reckon they will give a good account of themselves.
Is Jordan Larmour injured?
@Rugbyanbeer: yes he’s still injured
@Stephen Nolan: thanks for your reply
Big opportunity for Ivan Soroka off the bench , he’s been a fearsome LH in AIL for years , if he can come on and compete with a bulls pack his career will take off
@Owen ODonoghue: he’s a little too old at this stage for a career but what a great experience for him.
@chris mcdonnell: never too old Chris