Showtime Basketball returns to Kilkenny

Ireland’s biggest outdoor basketball exhibition game Showtime is coming back to Thomastown.

The event will feature a lot of the top basketball players in Ireland and will take place on Saturday July 8 at 6pm.

As part of the Berkeley Boys Basketball Club, the exciting event will showcase the skills of top Irish International, National League and Professional Players in the outdoor Basketball Amenity in Thomastown.

The newly established and ever-expanding Berkeley Boys Basketball club was set up in September 2019, the new boy's team, known as the Berkeley Wolves are affiliated with the well-established Girls Berkeley Basketball Club in Thomastown.

The Thomastown based Berkeley Boys Basketball Club are delighted to announce that following the huge success from last year’s Outdoor Basketball Exhibition Game, they are doing it again the weekend after next.

Last year the crowds came in their droves (600-700) to witness this unique and exciting family event that showcased the skills of top Irish International, National League and Professional Basketball Players.

Organiser Russ Ryan said that they are expecting a big crowd again this year where the event will kick off at 6pm with a Senior Ladies exhibition game followed by the men’s exhibition game and finishing up with a monster dunking competition.

Russ said that last year the exhibition game was like a dream come true for so many kids to see the players put on a show with plenty of slam dunks and slick moves, in what was a brilliant atmosphere.

This year’s event will once again have a festival-like family event with DJ, spot prizes , food trucks and a monster dunking competition, where we will get to see some of Ireland's best dunkers put on a show for all to enjoy.

Mayo native Russ Ryan, who played with the Ballina team that was one of the top Irish teams nationally in the late 80s and mid 90s, said that since starting the boy's teams in Thomastown they have seen basketball get very popular with young kids in the surrounding areas.

Originally from Ohio, Deora he played Division 1 College Basketball for the University of South Mississippi in the US.
He has since played as a professional player for teams in Ireland, Spain Belgium and in the UK.

The former PRO has played for 20 years in Ireland and has numerous Division 1, National Cup and Super league titles.
He is also two-time Sprite Cup National Cup MVP.

A true legend of the game in Ireland.

With this growing interest and given there was no outdoor courts to play the game on during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Thomastown, the local community came together with Kilkenny County Council and other local stakeholders to deliver an awesome new outdoor basketball venue, with outdoor seating for game spectators.

This newly developed amenity located in the centre of the town was developed and funded under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme by Kilkenny County Council.

The amenity has a large permanent amphitheater which creates the perfect environment for spectators of all ages to watch this exhibition game.

Russ said ‘’the game will showcase some of Irelands top talents while he also added to keep an eye out for some legends of the game from years gone by who will also be in attendance.

Russ thanked the organising committee and local sponsors who are kindly supporting this community event and they are all hoping that it’s another successful evening with a big crowd in attendance .