Finals 1959-1972

Year	Winners		Runners-Up
1959	Kerry
1960	Cork
1961	Dublin	42	Cork	38
1962	Antrim
1963	Kerry	63	Kilkenny	44
1964	Cork
1965	Antrim
1966
1967	Cork
1968	Dublin
1969	Limerick
1970	Limerick
1971	Laois	50	Galway	34
1972	Mayo	70	Waterford	43

[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]

References

_______________________________________________________________________

Sources

[1] Anon (1959) “Basketball” Irish Independent Thursday, December 31, 1959. pg. 12

[2] Anon (1960) “Basketball” Irish Independent Saturday, December 31, 1960. pg. 14-15

[3] Anon (1961) “Dublin Win Junior Basketball Title” Irish Press Monday, May 1, 1961. pg. 10

[5] Anon (1963) “Kerry Foiled Of Making History” Irish Independent Monday, April 22, 1963. pg. 8-9

[6] Anon (1964) “Basketball” Irish Independent Wednesday, December 30, 1964. pg. 12-13

[9] Anon (1967) “Basketball” Irish Independent Saturday, December 30, 1967. pg. 14-15

[10] Anon (1968) “Basketball” Irish Independent Tuesday, December 31, 1968. pg. 12-13

[11] Anon (1969) “Basketball” Irish Independent Wednesday, December 31, 1969. pg. 12

[12] Anon (1970) “Basketball” Irish Independent Thursday, December 31, 1970. pg. 12-13

[13] Anon (1971) “Basketball” Irish Independent Friday, December 31, 1971. pg. 14-15

[14] Anon (1972) “Basketball” Evening Press Monday, March 13, 1972. pg. 15

Acknowledgements

Thanks to John Folan.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 14 July 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019

You may quote this document in whole or part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.

Finals 1952-1973

Year	Winners		Runners-Up
1952	Dublin	38	Roscommon	36
1953	Dublin
1954	Dublin
1955	Roscommon
1956	Cork
1957	Kerry	34	Antrim	31
1958	Antrim	49	Roscommon	34
1959	Kilkenny
1960	Antrim
1961	Roscommon	52	Antrim	48
1962	Antrim
1963	Antrim	67	Kerry	53
1964	Antrim		Dublin
1965	Antrim		Dublin
1966	Dublin	68	Antrim	45
1967	Dublin
1968	Cork		Antrim
1969	Kerry
1970	Kerry
1971	Cork	61	Dublin	57
1972	Dublin	77	Kerry	55
1973	Sligo	64	Kerry	59

Report

The Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland was formed in 1945. Prior to this Basketball had only been played in the Army as they were the only places where there were gyms. The first Leagues were played in Dublin in 1945 and by the 1950s there were All-Ireland Championships organised on a County basis much like the GAA.

The All-Ireland Senior Championship was a single-elimination tournament, played out on a Provincial basis with the four Provincial winners meeting in the All-Ireland Semi-Finals.

Antrim (6 Wins), Dublin (4 Wins), Kerry & Cork (3 Wins Apiece) and Roscommon (2 Wins) were the most successful counties. Only Kilkenny in 1959 were to break the stranglehold of these five counties, prior to Sligo’s win over Kerry in the last ever All-Ireland County Championships in 1973.

In 1973, a National Basketball League based on clubs was organised and this brought an end to the era of All-Ireland County Championships.

References

Sources

[1] Anon. (1952) “Basketball” Irish Press. Wednesday, December 31, 1950. pg. 8

[2] Anon (1953) “Basketball” Irish Independent Thursday, December 31, 1953. pg. 9

[3] Anon (1954) “Basketball” Irish Independent Friday, December 31, 1954. pg. 6-7

[4] Anon (1955) “Basketball” Irish Independent Saturday, December 31, 1955. pg. 10-11

[5] Anon (1956) “Basketball” Irish Independent Monday, December 31, 1956. pg. 10-11

[6] Anon (1957) “Basketball” Irish Independent Tuesday, December 31, 1957. pg. 10

[7] Anon (1958) “Basketball” Irish Independent Wednesday, December 31, 1958. pg. 10

[8] Anon (1959) “Basketball” Irish Independent Thursday, December 31, 1959. pg. 12

[9] Anon (1960) “Basketball” Irish Independent Saturday, December 31, 1960. pg. 14-15

[10] Anon (1961) “Senior Title for Roscommon” Irish Independent Wednesday, May 3, 1961. pg. 20-21

[12] Anon (1963) “Kerry Foiled Of Making History” Irish Independent Monday, April 22, 1963. pg. 8-9

[13] Anon (1964) “Basketball” Irish Independent Wednesday, December 30, 1964. pg. 12-13

[15] O’Connor, Tony (1966) “Basketball” Irish Press Friday, April 15, 1966. pg.

[16] Anon (1967) “Basketball” Irish Independent Saturday, December 30, 1967. pg. 14-15

[16] ‘Rebounder’ (1968) “Basketball: At Last Victory for Cork in All-Ireland Senior, Junior Finals” Evening Echo, Tuesday, December 17, 1968. pg.

[17] Anon (1968) “Basketball” Irish Independent Tuesday, December 31, 1968. pg. 12-13

[18] Anon (1969) “Basketball” Irish Independent Wednesday, December 31, 1969. pg. 12

[19] Anon (1970) “Basketball” Irish Independent Thursday, December 31, 1970. pg. 12-13

[20] Anon (1971) “Basketball” Irish Independent Friday, December 31, 1971. pg. 14-15

[21] Anon. (1971) Cork capture All-Ireland While Na Mistealaigh Take Lota Tournament” Evening Echo. Tuesday, April 20, 1971. pg. 12.

[22] Anon (1972) “Basketball” Evening Press Monday, March 13, 1972. pg. 15

[23] A Special Correspondent (1073) “Sligo win the big one: First All-Ireland Title” Sligo Champion, Friday, March 16, 1973. pg. 14.

Social Media

[24] Irish Basketball Memories of the 1980s and 1990s Facebook Page (2020) Junior Ryan: Answer to Post by Enda Mulcahy, 28 February 2020 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1060954243928054/permalink/2942221669134626/ [Accessed 28 February 2020]

[25] Irish Basketball Memories of the 1980s & 1990s Facebook Page (2020) Rob Gihbu, Reply to Post by Enda Mulcahy, 29 February 2020 [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s851x315/89035704_10213399588744251_1758018135312564224_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=dbeb18&_nc_ohc=c8NN_DnWk5kAX8GVo-G&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&_nc_tp=7&oh=9f7edd9b8d198cb58e31ae3431837cc5&oe=5EBF47E0 [Accessed 29 February 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Rob Gihbu [Reference: 25] & Junior Ryan (Cork 1971) [Reference: 24].

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish, British, North American, and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 29 February 2020

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020.

You may quote this document in whole or part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.

Results

Date	Team 1		Team 2
	Semi-Finals
31.03.1963	Kerry	81	Sligo	39
07.04.1963	Antrim	43	Dublin	41
	Final
21.04.1963	Antrim	67	Kerry	53

[1][2][3]

Venue

Match	Venue
Semi-Final 1	Gillooly Hall, Sligo
Semi-Final 2	Cathal Brugha Gymnasium, Dublin
Final	Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin

[1][2][3]

Report

_______________________________________________________________________

Semi-Final: Kerry 81 Sligo 39

Kerry’s experience, including three Irish Internationals, saw them win against Connacht Champions Sligo in the All-Ireland Semi-Final. Four Kerry players reached double-figures (C. O’Hanlon, M. O’Grady, D. O’Shea & B. burrows), while only two Sligo players, Tom O’Brien and David Pugh reached double figures. Kerry opened the scoring and were more accurate with their shots despite a valiant Sligo side, who had numerous missed shots, and only three scorers on the scoresheet. The home team were no match in the end for a Kerry side that boasts 15 clubs in Tralee alone.[1]

Kerry 81 C. O’Hanlon (20), M. O’Grady (19), D. O’Shea (17), B. Burrows (17), D. O’Donnell (4), T. Falvey (4), T. Lynch, C. Spring

Sligo 39 Tom O’Brice (C) (18), David Pugh (15), Tommy Fox (6), Tom Conway, Brian Gorevan, Des McHugh, Michael Burns, Christie Conway, Brendan Burns, Noel Corcoran, John Dolan, Ernest Gray

Semi-Final: Antrim 43 Dublin 41

Antrim came from behind in the second half to beat Dublin in a thrilling Semi-Final in Cathal Brugha Gymnasium. Dublin were up by 20-14 at half-time and midway through the second half but Antrim were 10 points up midway through the second half before a late Dublin surge left it a two-point game in the end. Mick Brennan was the Antrim star, scoring 28 of their 43 total, F. O’Sullivan and B. Collins managed double-figures for Dublin.[2]

Antrim 43 M. Brennan (28), B. McMahon (4), G. Hannigan (4), J. McKeever (4), R. Jameson (2), E. Brennan (1).

Dublin 41 F. Sullivan (16), B. Collins (13), C. Keyes (8), N. Nugent (2), D. Rochford (2).

Final: Antrim 67 Kerry 53

Antrim defended their All-Ireland Senior Championship which they won in 1962, and in the process denied Kerry an historic treble, as the Kingdom had beaten Kilkenny in the Minor and Junior Finals. Kerry led 28-23 at the half and it looked like they would win the treble, but a second half comeback by Antrim dashed their hopes. Antrim’s height advantage paid dividends in the second half and with five minutes left they were 20 points up, easing to a 67-53 victory. Four Antrim players reached double figures (G. Hannigan, G. Clarke, C. McKinney & M. Brennan. A. O’Shea and B. Burrows reached double figures for Kerry.[3]

Antrim 67 G. Hannigan (18), G. Clarke (13), C. McKinney (12), M. Brennan (10), A. Moneypenny (5), B. McMahon (4), J. McKeever (3), D. O’Connor (2) Kerry 53 A. O’Shea (13), B. Burrows (11), B. O’Grady (8), C. O’Hanlon (8), A. O’Donnell (5), A. O’Sullivan (4), C. Spring (2), J. Galway (2).

References

_______________________________________________________________________

Sources

[1] Anon (1963) “Basketball: EXPERIENCED KERRY DEFEATED SLIGO” Sligo Champion Saturday, April 6, 1963. pg. 10-11

[2] Anon (1963) “Title Holders Reach Final” Irish Press Monday, April 8, 1963. pg. 12-13

[3] Anon (1963) “Kerry Foiled Of Making History” Irish Independent Monday, April 22, 1963. pg. 8-9

Acknowledgements

Thanks to John Folan.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to John Folan.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 14 July 2019

(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2019

You may quote this document in whole or part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.