Donegal Town Basketball Club take North West U-14 Division Two Boys League

North West Basketball Association U-14 Division Two Boys League
Donegal Town BC v Ballyshannon 88ers
Donegal Town ‘sealed the deal’ to win North West Basketball Association U-14 Division Two Boys League with a fine display in the Abbey Vocational School Gym on Saturday last.
A strong first quarter provided the platform for a strong and skilful performance. Ballyshannon 88ers tried hard to get into the game having a better second quarter with tougher defence and attacking the basket through the impressive Ronan McGloin.
In each of their league games so far DTBC have had impressive individual displays from the likes of Eoghan McPartlan, Morgan Cassidy and Matthew McInern, however, this week it was the turn of Niall Feeney and Oisin Doherty to step up.
Feeney showed all the skills including rebounding, passing and scoring in a very efficient performance and Doherty’s defensive skills and ability to pick out the right pass was there for all to see. Another to impress was James Connolly who came off the bench and showed good game intelligence to help out other teammates with defensive duties and getting into positive offensive positions to finish important baskets.
Dillon McGroary and Joseph Jordan kept the 88ers defence working hard with plenty of movement and good assists for scores, while Ryan Gallagher’s coast-to-coast baskets were skilled and entertaining.
Cormac Carr and Theo Colhoun took care of rebounding duties and Jack Smith also showed plenty of determination to win and convert possession.
Before tip-off DTBC players and coaches had the chance to meet and thank sponsors Kevin Gallagher of the Mill Park Hotel and Seamus McGowan of Daytona Haulage for generously sponsoring new kits for the U14 Boys squad. This generous sponsorship is very beneficial to a volunteer-led club like Donegal Town BC, and all involved are very thankful to these local businesses for recognising the efforts of DTBC in providing a sporting outlet for the children and young people in the local communities.
Finally, well done to the game and table officials and thanks to all parents who provided support and much needed cups of tea/coffee, sandwiches, biscuits and pastries.
DTBC Squad: Oisin Doherty (11); Theo Colhoun (4); Niall Feeney (4); Dillon McGroary (2); James Connolly (6); Cormac Carr (2); Ryan Gallagher (4); Matthew McInern (6); Eoghan McPartlan (12); Morgan Cassidy (2); Joseph Jordan (4); Jack Smith (4). Head Coach Paul McHugh; Assistant Coach Paddy Muldoon.
Ballyshannon 88ers Squad: A O’Brien; R Delahunty; R McGloin (10); D Owens; J Gallagher; C Gavigan; C Slevin; M. McNamee; M Browne; M Keon (2); C Kelly. Coach Kerry Ryan

U12 Boys Division 1
Donegal Town BC 32
Ballyshannon 88rs 29
On Saturday the lads were to host Ballyshannon 88rs in their final game of the season at the Abbey gym but unfortunately Ballyshannon hadn't the required numbers so the match was conceded but all was not in despair as both sides mixed played out a highly entertaining in house friendly instead.
With Christian, Leon and Alan traded to the 88'ers for the day spectators were treated to a high scoring and skilled match with the home side Donegal edging out winners in the end by 3 points.
The friendly match was a credit to both sets of players although remaining competitive, everyone mixed well with high fives and pats on the backs evident throughout even though normally both sides are close rivals. Huge well done to everyone.
The lads have had a very successful season finishing in a highly competitive and closely fought league in a very respectable third place, having completed the treble over Ballyshannon, winning one and losing marginally by two points twice to eventual table toppers Sligo All Stars and having shipped a heavy defeat by Blaze on the opening day of the season to again narrowly losing out twice they have come a long way.
They have the finals day to look forward to in March, training will continue as normal with blitzes and friendlies envisaged in the foreseeable future.
DONEGAL: Oran Boyle Se Cassidy Thomas Mc Hugh Thomas Lenehan Alan Mc Hugh Leon Mc Ginty Senan Mc Ginty Jon Farren Christian Ward Nico Dominik Charlie Joe Mc Neely Connell Flannery
Coaches: Garry Prendiville and Emmet Cassidy

U12 Boys Division 2
Kilcar BC 38
Donegal Town BC 18
The boys hit the road on Saturday 9th February, destination Kilcar knowing that victory on the day would secure the league title but this wasn't to be the case as they encountered an excellent and resilient Kilcar team.
The lads long winning streak stretching over 6 games came to an abrupt end with Kilcar taking the spoils in a much deserved 38-18 victory.
Kilcar were magic from the onset and had massive games from Ronan Cunningham and Liam Mc Laughlin who were both unstoppable on the day. The first half was pretty nip and tuck throughout with Kilcar scoring 4 unanswered baskets in the later stages to lead at half-time 20-12.
Kilcar totally dominated the second half in what was an uncharacteristic performance from an out of sorts Donegal but had notable performances from the sharp shooting Lee Gallagher and the hard working Jack Mc Groarty. Kilcar ran out deserved winners.
A special mention to Joe Byrne who refereed the game in an excellent manner, blowing the whistle when needed and the game flowed seamlessly as a result.
All is not lost for Donegal as the title still remains within their hands if they were to defeat Mulroy in their final home game of the season. This match has to be allocated a date and when known all parents are asked to come and support the lads in their quest for silverware.
DONEGAL: Oran Boyle Ryan Cleary Rory Doherty Lee Gallagher 4 Thomas Healy 2 James Harron Thomas Lenehan 4 Niall Liu Ryan Mc Cullagh Leon Mc Ginty 4 Senan Mc Ginty 2 Jack Mc Groarty 2 Harry Mc Kinney Sean Sweeney Thomas Mc Hugh.
Coaches: Garry Prendiville and Emmet Cassidy

North West League
U16 Girls Division 1
Donegal Town BC 42
Sligo All Stars 44
Donegal hosted Sligo All Stars a week on from a 67-23 defeat in Sligo and what a performance we got from the Donegal Town side.
Orla Mc Gonagle returned to the starting five having missed last week’s game and showed her worth knitting together the home defence really well. But it was the performance of Catherine Campbell that really brought the game to All Stars as she gave as good a performance as any of our players have done this season. She carried the ball well, was our main threat to the basket and pulled down some terrific rebounds while also defending really well.
Katie Gillespie too is starting to show her worth to the team as she put in her best performance in the blue and yellow and gave us a great threat inside while also protecting the rim very well along with Mcgonagle. Sofia Masiri despite a few heavy fouls against her battled well to give us much needed possession and was a loss along with Sarah Donovan who were both fouled out in the last and were a huge miss going into the last few minutes.
Donegal did have a five point lead with two minutes left but the more experienced All Stars just did enough to get over the line despite a couple of shots to tie the game going astray for the home team.
DONEGAL: Catherine Campbell © 16, Natasha Prendiville, Sofia Maziri 4, Amy Carr 2, Roisin Gillespie, Sarah Donovan 2, Ava Maxwell 1, Emma Meehan 3, Katie Gillespie 10, Orla Mc Gonagle 2, Kirsty Harron.
Coach Kevin Sinclair