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CHAMPS

Templeogue College capture first All-Ireland basketball title

Ian Murray & Peter O'Brien
Templeogue College

History was made on Tuesday the 9th of February when Templeogue College captured their first All Ireland Basketball title. Their Under 19's come out victorious over Kilkenny CBS at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght. The team coached by Mr Eddie Guilmartin produced a wonderful performance to clinch the title. After a tense first half the Dublin side went into the break 4 points behind. Inspired by captain Mark Hargadon they came back and ran out eventual winners 86 - 72.

The day started as normal in the school while the team arrived at the Arena for a warm up at 11am. The school closed for the day at 11am and bussed the students, 700 in total, to the Arena for a 12 noon tip off, where the sea of blue and red was impressive. The Kilkenny students arrived with drums and a vocal entry but the boys from Dublin chanted in chorus of 700 strong. The rivalry had begun. Des Cahill of RTE fame introduced the teams and nerves were very evident in the first few minutes.

Templeogue got the first score but Kilkenny were to respond and take the lead which they retained until the interval. Substitutes were introduced into the game by both teams to gain the advantage. Mark Hargadon was substituted in the first half with an injury but the injury to one of the Kilkenny players seemed to be the worst. Mark returned after some attention but had a low score of only 5 points for the half. A 4 point difference at half time between the teams was very worrying for the Templeogue followers.

Half time entertainment kept the crowd amused for the 10 minutes. Solo singer Paul Donnelly represented Templeogue and the Kilkenny students had a piped band followed by some break dancing.

The second half was a fast moving one with both sides trading scores. The only difference was the roar for the Templeogue scores as they were mostly three pointers which brought the Templeogue side into the lead. Mark Hargadon was doing all of the moves and scoring his every shot and free throws. Matters were very tense towards the end with everyone hoping that the Templeogue players would not let the lead slip. Two players, Gareth Doolin and Bryan Griffin, had to go off with 5 fouls each and this was a worry. The team played well and continued to score to win by 12 points.

The undoubted star of the game was Mark Hargadon who as captain led by example scoring a massive 41 points, 36 of which were in the second half. He scored six 3 pointers, 5 of which came in the second half. He received the MVP award for the final, a fitting tribute to an excellent game performance.

The supporters were wild with excitement but were stopped from going onto the court to meet their heroes. The team came over and applauded the supporters before going up the steps to receive the cup and their medals. Victory was Templeogue's and the journey on the bus back to the school was full of song.

Coach Mr Eddie Guilmartin couldn't hide his obvious delight saying it was a day he was proud to be involved with and one he will never forget. The noise from the crowd almost knocked him off his feet on entering the court at the start of the game. It was a sweet victory for the coach and assistant coach Mr Paul Dunne who for so long have worked with the young players in the school. Mark Hargadon, captain, feels that this victory has sparked off greater interest around the school in Basketball as there was such a great turn out for the game. Mark felt that the narrow defeat to St Andrews last year in the semi-finals of the All Ireland Cup heightened the teams determination for this years final.

On Thursday the school was assembled to present the Cup and the team to the students and staff. Speeches were made by Mr Kennedy, Principal, Mr Guilmartin, Coach, Mark Hargadon, Captain, and Fr Redmond, Gamesmaster. Mr Kennedy announced a half day.
Over the two days of finals in the Arena the Templeogue team were the best supported team and for this they won a special promotional prize. This victory truly was a momentous achievement in Templeogue College's sporting history and all that we can hope is that it is just one of many titles to come to the school in the next few years.

Path to the Final

St Joseph's, Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath 58 - 98
St Columbs, Derry 70 - 64
Quarter Final
St Muredachs College, Ballina 77 - 76
Semi-Final
Our Ladys, Castleblayney 66 - 60
Final
Kilkenny CBS 84 - 76

Details of the final

Player Profile: Mark Hargadon

Mark is 6'2'' tall and is a great admirer of Scottie Pippen's style of play and has modeled his game around this. In his short career he has won many MVP awards and was the top scorer at the under 16 schoolboys four Nations Competitions in Scotland.

Mark, who is only 16, began started playing at 11 years of age when he trained in Marian once a week on a Thursday night and played with the St Pius X National school. Mark began his Basketball Club career with the Templeogue Basketball Club which was set up by the past pupils of the college.

His talents were developed by attending many camps. During his career he has played shooting guard and point guard for Dublin South, point guard for Templeogue College and shooting guard for the National side. He is an accomplished youth international and hopes to make the next junior mens final squad.

So far he has received great assistance from many coaches including Tom McLoughlin, Niall Brady and Kieran Dunne in his junior career and the many camps run by John O'Connor. He would also express gratitude to the coaches in the school, Mr Eddie Guilmartin and Mr Paul Dunne, who have supported and assisted him in basketball. He thanks his parents who have supported him and funded various basketball camps which have enabled him develop his game.

In the future Mark would like to play senior basketball for Ireland and his dream is to get a scholarship and go to the States. In the short term though he wants to go for the 'A' title next year with Templeogue College and believes there is great junior talent coming up from the under 16 squad.

Mark Hargadon's Playing Career
Templeogue College
o 1994/5 U14C Dublin League Winners
o 1995/6 U14B Dublin League Winners & All Ireland Finalists
o 1996/7 U16B Cup finalists
o 1997/8 U19B All Ireland Semi-finalists
o 1998/9 Dublin League Semi finalists & All Ireland B Champions

Dublin
o U13 represented Dublin South
o U15 for 2 years
o U17

Ireland
o U13 Traveled to France
o U16 Traveled to Scotland
o U17 Traveled to France
o Junior Men Traveled to Iceland, Polar Cup

Templeogue Club
o U15A
o U16 Cup finalists

Marian Club
o U16 League and Cup winner
o U17 League and Cup winner
o U19 Semi-finalists in the Sprite Cup

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