Clonmel Secondary School crowned All-Ireland basketball champions at National Arena

Congratulations to CTI Clonmel First Years who this morning (Tuesday) were crowned All-Ireland Minor C Basketball School League champions after they defeated Baltinglass of County Wicklow in the final played at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin.

In a thrilling final that went all the way down to the wire, the Clonmel boys, made up of pupils from Gaelcholáiste Chéitinn and Raheen College, prevailed by 34-31.

It has been a fantastic odyssey for the Clonmel First Years, superbly coached by school teachers Colm Ó Conghaola and Luke Boland. And to add to the occasion the boys were  roared on this morning by fellow students, parents and siblings, on a day that they will always remember.

Only last week, again at a different Dublin venue, they saw off the challenge of St Joseph’s from Tulla, Clare, in an impressive display, winning by 51-24.

Last month in the South Eastern First Year Boys C Basketball final, the team took part in the All-Ireland quarter-finals, which were run as a round-robin competition on Tuesday, April 18. CTI hosted three teams from Mallow, Mountmellick and Gonzaga College (Dublin) in the Moyle Rovers GAA Centre in Monroe. They came through that day with a clean sweep of victories to progress onwards. A journey that has now ultimately concluded with a magnificent All-Ireland crown.

The squad of players is Freddie Ó Báicéir, Thomas Molloy, Joshua Ó Slataire, Jason Ryan, Daniel Mak, Gavin Ó Súilleabháin, Owen Ooi, Leon Hewitt,  Aaron de Prút, Troy Dorney, Cillian Ó Muirgheasa, Roccó Ó Cuidithe and Adam de Prút.

Comhghairdeas CTI Chluain Meala.