A BRILLIANT SEASON FOR NK EAGLES BOYS’ teams
What a season it has been for North Kildare Eagles boys. The Under-14 ‘gold’ team won Division 2 with 12 wins and no losses and made it to the final of the Top 4 tournament in Portlaoise. They were unlucky to lose 38-32 after a very tight match. Everyone at the club is celebrating what coach Simon Walsh’s lads have achieved. They move on to the Under-16 age bracket with high hopes. Well done to Simon, his assistants, all the players, and of course their families.
NK Eagles Under 14 ‘gold’ team, the 2023 MABB Under 14 Div 2 Winners
The older of the two Under-12 boys groups came second in Division 1 and also made it to the final of the Top 4 tournament. They fought hard but lost the final 41-26. Coach Mark Dempsey has had a brilliant season, winning 9 and only losing 3 games in their Division. Well done everyone involved with their team and especially to the amazing players and their families. The future is bright!
The NK Eagles Under 12 Div 1 team & 2023 MABB Top 4 finalists
Our Under-18s lads deserve a huge cheer from us all for finishing 4th in their division with 11 wins and only 7 defeats. The Under-18s league is incredibly physical and bursting with talent. NK Eagles, with their coaches Celo Bandonil and Breda Duggan, have really brought the lads on. They also made it to the Top 4 and ran the eventual winners close but eventually lost in the semi-final. Some of the players (and their families) have been with the club from the outset. They have been an inspiration to all the younger players.
The NK Eagles Under-18s, 2023 MABB Top 4 semi-finalists
Our other boys’ teams at Under-12 (won 2, lost 8), Under-14 (won 1, lost 11), and Under-16 (Div 1 won 3, lost 8; Div 2 won 1 and lost 18) have also had very good developmental seasons with lots of bright prospects across the age groups. Next year should bring lots more excitement.
Please don’t forget that none of what the boys have managed to do this year would have been possible without volunteers stepping forward to be table officials, running score boards, sorting fixtures, ensuring we have space to train, finding referees, coaching, or working away in the background to run our accounts or source kit. Please, if your son is keen on basketball, get involved in the club and volunteer! Your can register your interest here (click on the ‘volunteers’ link) or come to the AGM in May and find a way to help. We are a growing club with a strong sense of purpose and community. Get involved!
Finally, do try to come to the annual awards in early May (date to be confirmed) and celebrate what the boys have achieved.
