KERRY GAA STAR Kieran Donaghy is set to return to playing top-tier basketball, it has been confirmed.
Donaghy will line out for Tralee Town BC — a collaboration between local clubs Tralee Imperials and National Intermediate Cup Champions St Brendan’s – having been named MVP for the latter in the national basketball final back in January.
The three-time All-Star’s GAA commitments won’t be impacted upon, however, with the basketball season taking place from the end of October to the middle of March.
Donaghy, who was part of Kerry’s recent Allianz Football League campaign, is renowned as a talented basketball player, having won the National Cup title with the Tralee Tigers in 2005.
“There’s a huge buzz around with Kieran coming back,” said John Dowling, chairman of Tralee Town BC. “It wouldn’t have been possible to make the step up without both clubs working together and people feel like this is going to be a team for the town of Tralee.”
The club has also announced that Mark Bernsen, who won the Men’s Superleague with Abrakebabra Tralee Tigers in 2008, will be returning to Kerry as Head Coach.
Meanwhile, Basketball Ireland have confirmed that its National League will be expanded to include four additional teams for the 2016-17 season. The full list of teams that will feature can be seen below.
Men’s National League Teams 2016-17 (24): Belfast Star, BFG Neptune, C&S Blue Demons, C&S UCC Demons, DCU Saints, Dublin Lions, Eanna, Fr. Mathews, GCD Swords Thunder, ITC Basketball, JM&L Auctioneers Titans, Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin, Kestrels, KUBS, LYIT, Maree BC, Pyrobel Killester, Sligo All Stars, SSE Airtricity Moycullen, Team Kilkenny, Templeogue, Tralee Town BC, UCD Marian, UL Eagles.
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