St Joseph's College, the Bish, retained two Western Regional basketball titles, winning the Junior A and Minor A titles in NUIG.
The Bish edged St Mary's College by 40-37 in the junior final with internationals James Connaire of the Bish and St Mary’s Paul Kelly influential for their respective teams. However it was Dara McNulty with some big outside shots at crucial times and James Cummins with scores off driving to the basket that proved the key to the game for the Bish.
Both teams now advance to the All Ireland League playoffs, and in a twist of fate both of these teams are also in the final four of the U15 Subway Schools Cup in the National Basketball Arena in May when the Bish play St Malachys, Belfast in one semi-final and St Mary's face Templeogue College in the other. They may well meet again later this year in both a cup and league national final.
In the minor final the Bish overcame Calasanctius College by 48-32.
Powered by Matthew Sweeney, Conor Corcoran and Brian Gaffney, the Bish proved too strong for the Oranmore side and now take a top seeding into the All Ireland minor playoffs in UL Sports Arena over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Today the Bish are involved in the U14A Schools Cup semi-final in NBA Tallaght when they face a stiff challenge from current champions St Malachy’s College, Belfast.
Calasanctius College will also progress to the All Ireland playoffs in May.
