Kilkenny to hold court as the Masters tournament returns

Kilkenny will be the centre of basketball attention when the sixth annual Kilkenny Masters basketball tournament takes over three venues around the city this weekend.

The 36 teams participating in this prestigious event for men’s and women’s teams over 40 and 50, will travel from Cork, Kerry, Clare, Mayo, Dublin, Offaly, Carlow, Cavan, Limerick, Laois, Wexford, Waterford. Joining them will be teams from Kilkenny, Yorkshire, Bristol, Hull and Birmingham.

The action will see over 400 players and officials taking part across the three days, with the equally important social night out in Paris Texas on the Saturday evening. It goes to show the importance of well-being and health and fitness for adults who wish to continue playing sport into their 40s and 50s.

The action gets under way in O’Loughlin Gaels this Friday from 7.20pm, with the Kilkenny ladies 40s team of Marble City Mayfairs taking on Cork Cougars to compete for the Seamus Walsh Cup.

Straight on to the court right after are the Kilkenny men’s 40s team who will go up against WEBBA from the UK, with new recruits James Butler and David Keane added to the local line-up, and are sure to impress on the Masters stage. The Lar Murphy Memorial Cup is at stake for the eventual winners in this category.

There will also be underage boys and girls Kilkenny Stars teams playing beforehand, which promises to entertain supporters.

The bulk of the games will be held on Saturday, spread across O’Loughlin Gaels, Loreto and St Kieran’s halls from 9am to 5pm.

The finals will be held in the same venues on Sunday.

In addition, there will be a Wheelchair Exhibition game between the players of the South East Swifts basketball team in St Kieran’s hall, scheduled for 12.50pm on Sunday.

The Swifts were narrowly beaten in the IWA National Cup Final recently, which was played in the National Basketball Arena - have a look at how Pat O’Neill and his team manage to weave their way round a court on wheels!

The Marble City Hawks Ladies National League team will be providing a catering service at each venue to help fundraise for their club. All support will be greatly appreciated.

Entry is free and all are encouraged to come along and see the action. For more see www.kilkennymasters.ie

The Kilkenny Masters committee thank all who have helped bring this tournament to fruition.