Eanna Basketball Club Announcement

Eanna Basketball was set up as a Division 2 team from players from Colaiste Eanna and Notre Dame nine years ago.  In a short period of time, the team was promoted to Division One in the Dublin Mens Senior league and subsequently added a second senior team.  An important milestone in the short history of the club took place 5 years ago when Notre Dame joined Eanna Basketball Club.  With a catchment area of Rathfarnham, Firhouse and Tallaght, Notre Dame had a long history of success at Underage and a club that can legitimately claim to be the most successful junior team in the 1990s and any single decade. Following the expansion of the club, the Division One team saw continued success and went on to win a number of competitions and tournaments including the triple of League, Cup and Final four in the Dublin league under current senior team Coach Ciaran Mac Evilly.   Following the retirement of Gerry O’Brien who is among the most successful school coaches in Irish Basketball History, the club entered into a time of transition and potential struggles with the loss of an outstanding coach and servant to Irish Basketball.  To facilitate the transition, the club undertook to ascertain the shared vision of the club and to establish if the same commitment and desire was there to follow the success of previous decades.  Following a meeting in March 2012 with parents, players and committee members, the entire club membership agreed on the following three primary objectives.

1. To ensure the future of Eanna basketball club
2. To develop a more consistent level of coaching throughout the club
3. To establish clearer pathways for players to progress through

The following was also agreed which provided for the medium to long term vision to

“Look at various options to develop a National League Team with a view to ultimately becoming a Premier League team”.

 

The transition to play to the highest level in Irish basketball requires not only talented players but the commitment of the entire membership of the club.  The club required a common goal and path to ensure the long term success of the club. This vision was partially fulfilled in the 2014/2015 season in which Eanna finished in a highly commendable third position in only their first season at that level.  The club has continued to make strong strides to achieve the long term goal of the club to compete in the Premier league.

The club are delighted to announce the acceptance by Basketball Ireland Men’s National Competitions Committee of Eanna Basketball Club to compete in the Premier League for the forthcoming season 2015/2016.  This was not without the hard work of many who provided their time, expertise, hard work and experience to bring the club to where it is today.

Today we have been given an opportunity to fulfil that vision.

An opportunity the club must seize, not only to participate but to compete and ultimately win the Premier League in the future.

 

Today’s announcement has fulfilled our common goal and vision for the club and we look forward to welcoming our current and former players of Colaiste Eanna, Eanna and Notre Dame to cheer on Eanna in their inaugural Premier League season.

         

www.eannabasketball.ie