Ireland's BIGGEST Outdoor Basketball Exhibition Game

IRELAND'S BIGGEST OUTDOOR BASKETBALL EXHIBITION GAME. ‘’THE COURT’’ -

SHOWTIME came to Thomastown, Kilkenny, Ireland in what was one of Ireland's biggest ever Outdoor Basketball Exhibition Games!

This documentary entitled "The Court’’ tells the story of the transformation of a town centre space from a once derelict site into an awesome outdoor amenity, hosting Ireland's Biggest Outdoor Basketball Exhibition Game , an event that also marked the celebration of the court's first anniversary.

The game was like a dream come true for so many kids and locals , who saw these basketball stars put on a show, with plenty of dunks and 'razzle dazzle' that kept the crowd entertained on a hot July summer's evening. We had eleven Irish Internationals Basketball Players and some Irish and American Professional Players taking part. Local Berkeley boys team coach and event organiser Russ Ryan explained that ‘’with the help of Kilkenny based Pro Basketballer and former Davidson Division 1 US College Player and now assistant coach to the Irish Men’s Senior Basketball team, Puff Summers, we were able to host something very special in our small town’’ - this was truly a Big Game in a Small Town.

Russ explains that ‘’the exhibition game was a festival-like family event with DJ, spot prizes and a monster Dunking Competition, where we got to see some of Ireland's best dunkers put on a show for all to enjoy’’.

Some of the participating star players included; Sean Flood (Irish Senior Men's International/Pro Baller),James Gormley (Irish Senior Men's International), Conor O Sullivan (Irish Senior Men's International), Darragh O Sullivan (Florida Tech University USA/Irish International), Puff Summers (Davidson University USA/Asst Coach Irish Senior Men’s Team), Jay Kavanagh (Irish International), Josh Wilson (Pro Baller USA/Idaho Uni), Matt Treacy (Irish Senior International /Nazarene Uni USA) ,Jack Kehoe(Irish International), Mateo Plaza (O’Leighlin Basketball Club/Junior International) Lynn Tunnah (Irish Senior Women's International), Osi Oshiogwemoh (Irish International), Mimi Clarke (Irish Senior International), Daniel Nyland (Mayo Meteors BC)Hilary Netsiyanwa’s (DBS Eanna/Zimbabwe International) and Tom O Sullivan (Former Irish International and one of top Irish players of all time) and Russ Ryan (Wolves Boys Basketball Team Coach.

Special thanks to Kilkenny County Council who co-ordinated the development of the project , Kilkenny Recreational Sports Partnership, the newly branded SETU (South East Technical University),Basketball Ireland, the Thomastown Community Centre, Grennan College, Kilkenny Leader Partnership, local businesses and community volunteers, all of whom have been very supportive to help make this happen. This amenity was funded primarily by the Irish Government who helped fund the amenity under the National Town & Village Renewal Scheme (Our Rural Future).The development has since been nominated for a National Pride of Place award. And to celebrate its first year, the local community were delighted to welcome the players and spectators and to have this exhibition game on the new courts for all to enjoy.

We hope you enjoy this short documentary about the event, and thanks for watching.