Marion Keane Basketball Champions 2026

On Wednesday the 15th of April our girls basketball team played in the Marion Keane Basketball final in Ennis National School. There were thirteen of us on the panel and five players played at a time. Our coaches were Shona and Anne and we prepared a lot before the final. We arrived in Ennis National School at around half nine and warmed up for the game. In the first match we played against Killaloe N.S. and we won this game by a good margin. After this game we had a short break and then we progressed to the final game against Lahinch N.S.

In this game we played well in the first half but they were a strong team and in the final fifty-two seconds we were two baskets down. Saoirse scored one basket but we were still down by one point. Then in the final two seconds Lillie scored a basket to put us ahead by one point. We emerged as winners and we were so relieved! We are now the Marion Keane Basketball Champions for 2026. We are so proud of our team and the great effort that we put in on the day. To celebrate we went to the Banner Plaza for food and then came back to school where we were welcomed with a guard of honour!

By Niamh O’Reilly and Saoirse Barry.

Marion Keane Basketball Champions 2022

On Fri May 20th we travelled to Ennistymon to play the semi-finals and final of the Marion Keane basketball tournament. This tournament was set up in memory of Marion Keane, past pupil and former teacher in Knockanean. In the semi-final, we were drawn against Moyasta. This was an extremely tough game and after normal time we were level. This meant we had to play 3 minutes of extra time, which we won by 5 points. In the other semi-final, Bridgetown came out victorious over Toonagh. This set up a final between us and Bridgetown. Before our final Moyasta and Toonagh played off for 3rd and 4th spots which Moyasta won. The final against Bridgetown was difficult but we were victorious on a scoreline of 12-5. Afterwards, there were huge celebrations and our captain Lilith Kearney was presented with the cup by Dan Keane, Marion’s father. All the team received a trophy. We stopped in O’Keeffe’s on the way home and got ice cream. It was truly an amazing and memorable day.

By Lilith Kearney, Andrea Barry and Leanne Dixon.

Boys Basketball 2022

On the 5th of April, we went to Gurteen to play in the 1st round of the Marion Keane basketball tournament. The teams there that day were Crusheen, Gaelscoil Mhichil Ciosog and Barefield. In the first game, we played GMC and we lost narrowly on a score of 7-6. In the 2nd game, Barefield defeated Crusheen. In the 3rd game, Barefield did us a favour and defeated GMC. That gave us a chance if we won our last two matches which we did defeat Crusheen and then Barefield. That meant we and GMC were in a playoff to see who would advance from the group. The playoff was 5 min long and with time up we got a basket that we thought had won it for us but the referee disallowed the score because he said it had gone over time. We then had to go to Golden Basket and unfortunately, they got a free throw which they scored. We were devastated and disappointed. Thanks to Joe & Anne for the time they put into coaching us and to Paul Kennedy of PK Masonry for sponsoring our new basketball gear

By Shay Stubbs and Harry Leahy

Girls Basketball 2022

At 9:15, on the 7th of April we left for Gurteen to play Gaelscoil Mhichil Ciosog , Barefield and Crusheen in the Marion Keane basketball tournament. We were playing in the first match against GMC and we won 7-4. In the 2nd match, we played Crusheen, which we won 16- 0. The final match of the day was between ourselves and Barefield. We knew if we won this match we’d advance from the group. At halftime they were 2-0 up. At the start of the 2nd half they scored a 2nd basket to go 4 up. We then scored three baskets in a row and a free shot to win by 3 points. We now go on to the 2nd round after Easter.

By Ailbhe Curran and Ciara Brooks.

Marion Keane Basketball 2016

6th class boys and  girls have been playing in the Marion Keane basketball tournament. In the first round they boys were closely beaten and were knocked out of the league. The girls won their matches and went through to the second round. On the 21st of April the girls played Crusheen. It was a very close match but Knockanean came out on top by 2 points. In the quarter- final the girls played against Cooraclare. It was a very tough game and went to extra time ,but our girls fought hard and won 14-10 !! In the semi-final we played Gaelscoil. We were beaten but we played with heart. Gaelscoil went on to play Toonagh and came out on top. We played against Ballyea for 3rd and 4th place. It was a close match all the way through but sadly we lost but Ms Flaherty brought us to the shop and bought us ice-cream!!

By Mary O Callaghan and Katelyn Meaney