Silver medals for Bish boys
THE Bish First Year basketball team won an All-Ireland silver medal against St. Pat’s Castleisland in the Schools ‘A’ finals in the University of Limerick last weeked.
They travelled to the finals as Western Regional champions having defeating Calasanctius College, Oranmore in the final in March. In the play off pool games, the Bish defeated Colaiste Choilm,Tullamore and St. Fintan's Sutton to proceed to an All Ireland quarter-final against Moyle Park College, Clondalkin.
In that game, it took the Bish time to settle but in the end they ran out comprehensive winners by 18 points. This set up an All Ireland semi-final against Presentation College, Bray, who earlier that day had defeated Calasanctius College, Oranmore.
The game was tight but in the final quarter the Bish took control of through their Captain James Lyons with Kevyn Burke, Iarlaith O’Sullivan and Aaron Kiernan causing difficulties for the Presentation defence, while Liam Nolan found good shooting form at an crucial time in the second quarter.
In the final against St. Pat's, Castleisland, the Bish stayed with the strong Kerry team but following an injury that forced Lyons to retire from the game, the Bish lost momentum and St. Pat's scored ten points off fast breaks in the second quarter which was the difference between the teams as they went on from that point to deservingly lift the trophy.
The Bish boys can be proud of their progress and achievement this year and are looking forward to another shot at the title again next season. The Bish first years also had a successful trip to Bangor in Wales earlier this year where they played school and regional teams in preparation for the All Ireland finals.
St. Joseph’s have won four All Ireland medals this year in total with the U19A team securing a bronze against the eventual national champions Belvedere College and the U16A teams winning silver and bronze respectively in the Cup and League against eventual double national champions, Calasanctius College, Oranmore.