Final Table
| P | W | L | PF | PA | Pts | |
| Avonmore Snowcream Wildcats (C – NC) | 16 | 16 | 0 | 48 | ||
| Openet Naomh Mhuire (NC) | 16 | 13 | 3 | 42 | ||
| Tolka Rovers (NC) | 16 | 12 | 4 | 40 | ||
| Meteors (NC) | 16 | 10 | 6 | 36 | ||
| Blarney Spring | 16 | 8 | 8 | 32 | ||
| Killester | 16 | 7 | 9 | 30 | ||
| Supermacs Limerick | 16 | 5 | 11 | 26 | ||
| Riverisland Castleisland | 16 | 1 | 15 | 18 | ||
| Lee Strand Tralee | 16 | 1 | 15 | 18 |
Top Four Playoffs
| Date | Home Team | Away Team | ||
| Semi-Finals | ||||
| Snowcream Wildcats | 65 | Meteors | 43 | |
| Tolka Rovers | 64 | Naomh Mhuire | 61 ot | |
| Final | ||||
| Snowcream Wildcats | 82 | Tolka Rovers | 68 |
Regular Season Results
| Date | Home Team | Away Team | ||
| Week 1 | ||||
| 05.10.1997 | Snowcream Wildcats | 75 | Killester | 51 |
| 05.10.1997 | Lee Strand Tralee | 51 | Blarney | 64 |
| 05.10.1997 | Meteors | 75 | Limerick | 40 |
| 05.10.1997 | Riverisland Castleisland | 72 | Tolka Rovers | 94 |
| Week 2 | ||||
| 12.10.1997 | Lee Strand Tralee | 50 | Riverisland Castleisland | 58 |
| 12.10.1997 | Killester | 51 | Meteors | 72 |
| 12.10.1997 | Snowcream Wildcats | 72 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 64 |
| 12.10.1997 | Limerick | 62 | Tolka Rovers | 64 |
| Week 3 | ||||
| 19.19.1997 | Meteors | 48 | Snowcream Wildcats | 52 |
| 19.10.1997 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 104 | Lee Strand Tralee | 58 |
| 19.10.1997 | Riverisland Castleisland | 49 | Limerick | 70 |
| 19.10.1997 | Tolka Rovers | 83 | Blarney | 45 |
| Week 4 | ||||
| 26.10.1997 | Supermacs Limerick | 49 | Killester | 46 |
| 26.10.1997 | Meteors | 66 | Blarney | 45 |
| 26.10.1997 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 79 | Riverisland Castleisland | 62 |
| 26.10.1997 | Tolka Rovers | 72 | Snowcream Wildcats | 78 |
| Week 5 | ||||
| 09.11.1997 | Lee Strand Tralee | 39 | Meteors | 72 |
| 09.11.1997 | Snowcream Wildcats | 107 | Supermacs Limerick | 34 |
| 09.11.1997 | Riverisland Castleisland | 42 | Killester | 70 |
| 09.11.1997 | Blarney | 53 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 98 |
| Week 6 | ||||
| 16.11.1997 | Riverisland Castleisland | 67 | Blarney | 91 |
| 16.11.1997 | Killester | 56 | Tolka Rovers | 77 |
| 16.11.1997 | Snowcream Wildcats | 106 | Lee Strand Tralee | 42 |
| 16.11.1997 | Supermacs Limerick | 47 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 68 |
| Week 7 | ||||
| 23.11.1997 | Tolka Rovers | 70 | Meteors | 69 |
| 23.11.1997 | Blarney | 60 | Snowcream Wildcats | 105 |
| 23.11.1997 | Killester | 47 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 74 |
| 23.11.1997 | Supermacs Limerick | 83 | Lee Strand Tralee | 50 |
| Week 8 | ||||
| 30.11.1997 | Meteors | 56 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 62 |
| 30.11.1997 | Lee Strand Tralee | 56 | Tolka Rovers | 89 |
| 30.11.1997 | Killester | 58 | Blarney | 56 |
| 30.11.1997 | Riverisland Castleisland | 67 | Snowcream Wildcats | 146 |
| Week 9 | ||||
| 07.12.1997 | Lee Strand Tralee | 58 | Killester | 79 |
| 07.12.1997 | Supermacs Limerick | 69 | Blarney | 74 |
| 07.12.1997 | Meteors | 97 | Riverisland Castleisland | 57 |
| 07.12.1997 | Tolka Rovers | 70 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 73 |
| Week 10 | ||||
| 21.12.1997 | Tolka Rovers | 107 | Riverisland Castleisland | 53 |
| 21.12.1997 | Killester | 53 | Snowcream Wildcats | 90 |
| 21.12.1997 | Supermacs Limerick | 97 | Meteors | 84 |
| 21.12.1997 | Blarney | 59 | Lee Strand Tralee | 44 |
| Week 11 | ||||
| 04.01.1998 | Meteors | 73 | Killester | 38 |
| 04.01.1998 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 56 | Snowcream Wildcats | 67 |
| 04.01.1998 | Riverisland Castleisland | 63 | Lee Strand Tralee | 67 |
| 04.01.1998 | Tolka Rovers | 86 | Supermacs Limerick | 58 |
| Week 12 | ||||
| 11.01.1998 | Blarney | 68 | Tolka Rovers | 57 |
| 11.01.1998 | Lee Strand Tralee | 52 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 76 |
| 11.01.1998 | Snowcream Wildcats | 83 | Meteors | 61 |
| 11.01.1998 | Supermacs Limerick | 90 | Riverisland Castleisland | 64 |
| Week 13 | ||||
| 18.01.1998 | Snowcream Wildcats | 83 | Tolka Rovers | 58 |
| 18.01.1998 | Killester | 77 | Supermacs Limerick | 63 |
| 18.01.1998 | Riverisland Castleisland | 61 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 119 |
| 18.01.1998 | Blarney | 54 | Meteors | 56 |
| Week 14 | ||||
| 01.02.1998 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 91 | Supermacs Limerick | 59 |
| 01.02.1998 | Lee Strand Tralee | 40 | Snowcream Wildcats | 84 |
| 01.02.1998 | Tolka Rovers | 66 | Killester | 60 |
| 01.02.1999 | Blarney | 97 | Riverisland Castleisland | 50 |
| Week 15 | ||||
| 08.02.1998 | Supermacs Limerick | 53 | Snowcream Wildcats | 83 |
| 08.02.1998 | Meteors | 80 | Lee Strand Tralee | 41 |
| 08.02.1998 | Killester | 61 | Riverisland Castleisland | 39 |
| 08.02.1998 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 63 | Blarney | 53 |
| Week 16 | ||||
| 15.02.1998 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 66 | Killester | 35 |
| 15.02.1998 | Meteors | 55 | Tolka Rovers | 81 |
| 15.02.1998 | Snowcream Wildcats | 81 | Blarney | 62 |
| 15.02.1998 | Lee Strand Tralee | 50 | Supermacs Limerick | 57 |
| Week 17 | ||||
| 22.02.1998 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 57 | Tolka Rovers | 59 |
| 22.02.1998 | Killester | 94 | Lee Strand Tralee | 56 |
| 22.02.1998 | Riverisland Castleisland | 51 | Meteors | 81 |
| 22.02.1998 | Blarney | 94 | Supermacs Limerick | 52 |
| Week 18 | ||||
| 01.03.1998 | Openet Naomh Mhuire | 52 | Meteors | 62 |
| 01.03.1998 | Snowcream Wildcats | 123 | Riverisland Castleisland | 26 |
| 01.03.1998 | Tolka Rovers | 95 | Lee Strand Tralee | 46 |
| 01.03.1998 | Blarney Spring | 57 | Killester | 71 |
Report
Wildcats of Waterford won the first Super League title in 1997-98 defeating Tolka Rovers 82-68 in the Final.
Snowcream Wildcats from Waterford were on top of the Irish Basketball Association Women’s Super League at the end of October 1997, with four wins from four games. Tolka Rovers and Meteors were both a game behind on three wins and one loss, although Opent Naomh Mhuire from Inchicore in Dublin had a game in hand with two wins from three. What made Wildcats position even more outstanding was three of those wins came agianst their three nearest challengers, for all of whom it was their only loss.
By the end of November, Snowcream Wildcats were still undefeated, with maximum points from 8 games, their eighth game being a 146-67 demolition of Riverisland Castleisland, Jillian Hayes contributing 30 points in the game. Tolka Rovers and Openet Naomh Mhuire could not be counted out however with 6 wins from 7 games each in second place. Meteors were a bit further back in fourth with 4 wins from seven games.
At the years end Snowcream Wildcats were still undefeated with 9 wins, two ahead of Tolka Rovers and Naomh Mhuire, with Naomh Mhuire having a game in hand. Tolka Rovers narrow three-point loss at home to the women from Inchicore in Week 9 damahing their title hopes. Meteors were still hanging in there in fourth with 6 wins.
By the last weekend of league action in January before the Cup Finals Weekend, Snowcream Wildcats had kept their unbeaten record, stretching it to 12 wins. Openet Naomh Mhuire occupied second on 9 wins, with Tolka Rovers and Meteors tied in third on eight wins each.
At the end of the season at the End of February / Beginning of March, Snowcream Wildcats finished off their League campaign with an astonishing 123 to 26 victory over Riverisland Castleisland, to top the table with a perfect 16 wins from 16, three wins ahead of Openet Naomh Mhuire in second, with Tolka Rovers in third on 12-6 and Meteors finishing off the season in fourth with 10-6, sneaking into the playoffs ahead of Blarney Spring with a win over Opent Naomh Mhuire on the last day as Blarney lost to Killester.
The National Championship in the National Basketball Arena on the 14th to 15th March saw Snowcream Wildcats win all three major Competitions with an 82-68 triumph over Tolka Rovers in the Final after a 65-43 defeat of Meteors in the Semi-Finals. The other Semi-Final was a 64-61 win for Tolka Rovers in overtime versus Opent Naomh Mhuire.
The following year the Super League dropped to five teams as Naomh Mhuire lost their sponsor and Riverisland Castleisland and Lee Strand Tralee, who had struggled all season dropped out. The loss of Blarney was another big blow to the league.
About the National Basketball Leagues
The Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland was founded in 1947 and set up the first National League for men in 1971. In 1979 the League brought in professional players from America and the ABAI became the Irish Basketball Association and also started up the first Women’s League with a 1st and 2nd Division.
In 1997 the two Divisions were merged into one Women’s Super League, with a Regional League bbelow this, which in 2003 reverted back to two Divisions – Super League and Division 1 – with another rebranding of the Association to Basketball Ireland.
References
Newspapers
[1] (1998) “Basketball”. Irish Independent. Monday, March 2, 1998. pp. 20-21.
[2] (1998) “Basketball”. Irish Independent. Monday, March 16, 1998. pp. 34-35.
[3] Anon. (1997) “Factfile: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, October 6, 1997. Pg. 30
[4] Anon. (1997) “Factfile: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, October 13, 1997. Pg. 34
[5] Anon. (1997) “Ballina want McClean on the Plane from Spain” Irish Independent. Friday, October 17, 1997. Pg. 18
[6] Anon. (1997) “Factfile: Basketball” Irish Independent. Saturday, October 18, 1997. Pg. 22
[7] Anon. (1997) “Factfile: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, October 20, 1997. Pg. 32
[8] Anon. (1997) “McClean helps to sink Neptune” Irish Independent. Monday, October 20, 1997. Pg. 32
[9] Anon. (1997) “Factfile: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, October 27, 1997. Pg. 34
[10] Anon. (1997) “Factfile: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, November 10, 1997. Pg. 34.
[11] Anon. (1997) “Factfile: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, November 17, 1997. Pg. 34.
[12] Anon. (1997) “Factfile: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, November 24, 1997. Pg. 30.
[13] Anon. (1997) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, December 1, 1997. Pg. 30
[14] Anon. (1997) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, December8, 1997, Pg. 33
[15] Anon. (1997) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, December 22, 1997, Pg. 40
[16] Anon. (1998) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, January 5, 1998, Pg. 23
[17] Anon. (1998) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, January 12, 1998, Pg. 31
[18] Anon. (1998) “Neptune looking up as Augusto points the way” Irish Independent. Monday, January 19, 1998, Pg. 30
[19] Anon. (1998) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, January 26, 1998, Pg. 31
[20] Anon. (1998) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, February 2, 1998, Pg. 20
[21] Anon. (1998) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, February 9, 1998, Pg. 26
[22] Anon. (1998) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, February 16, 1998, Pg. 32
[23] Anon. (1998) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, February 23, 1998, Pg. 28
[24] Anon. (1998) “A-Z of Weekend Sport: Basketball” Irish Independent. Monday, March 2, 1998, Pg. 20
[3] Anon. (1997) “Sports Round Up” Irish Times. Monday, November 24, 1997. pg. 28 [Internet] Available online at: https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1997/1124/Pg028.html#Ar02800 [Accessed 19 December 2020]
[4] Anon. (1997) “Sports Round Up” Irish Times. Monday, December 1, 1997. pg. 30 [Internet] Available from: https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1997/1201/Pg030.html#Ar03000 [Accessed 19 December 2020]
Acknowledgements
Thanks to Ann Hanley, Killester and Ireland National Team.
About this document
Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the
Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive
Last Updated: 19 December 2020
(c) Copyright Enda Mulcahy and Eirball 2020
You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Reserved.