Regrettably, Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí’s Senior A Boys Basketball team faced a tough exit from this year’s Basketball Ireland South Schools league in a thrilling match against St Francis’ of Rochestown. The Bantry Boys, knowing that only victory would secure their advancement, took an early 8-point lead through impressive plays from Ethan Hanley, Charlie Curran, and Cian Keohane. Bantry initially appeared to be the stronger team, with excellent rebounding by Shane Murnane, Paddy Russell, and Eoghan O’Donoghue maintaining their advantage.
Cathal McCarthy commendably marked Rochestown’s top player, but the opposing team found other contributors, turning the tide in their favor. The second half remained tense, with Hanley and Curran showcasing their three-point shooting, complemented by impactful plays from Cian Keohane and contributions from the big men—Shane Murnane, Eoghan O’Donoghue, and Paddy Russell.
In the final minutes, Coláiste Pobail faced setbacks, losing star players Ethan Hanley and Cian Keohane to fouls. Rochestown capitalised on the advantage, securing a six-point victory.
Top scorers for CPB:
– Charlie Curran: 15 points
– Cian Keohane: 11 points
– Ethan Hanley: 11 points
This match marked the end of an era for long-time school players Cian Keohane, Mark O’Sullivan, Ethan Hanley, Eoghan O’Donoghue, and Shane Murnane. Mr. Curran expressed gratitude to these individuals for their six years of dedication to basketball at Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí. He acknowledged their significant contributions, including reaching the National arena twice and narrowly missing an All-Ireland semi-final victory in their first year. Last March, the team played in the Senior National Schools Cup final, further solidifying their impact on basketball in the school and achieving the elusive A grade.
