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Sunday was a day of firsts, first game of the new league, first game of the season and the first competitive basketball game ever, for the majority of these young Steelers. The two veterans on the team showed the others the ropes. Before long the nerves dissipated and the lads settled into the game. The starting five for Monaghan slipped ahead in the first quarter and the second five out managed to build on that lead, to leave Blackwater Steelers up by 9 points to no score at half time. During the third quarter, Druids had a bit of a surge, finding a hole in our defensive line and putting their first 4 scores on the board. After a dip, Blackwater responded, taking two back. We were ahead 13 points to 8 going into the last quarter. Steelers tightened up their defence in the fourth and continued put scores on the board to end the game 21 points to 12. A good start to the season, although there will, undoubtedly be many tougher games ahead this year.

Team, in order of kit number: Donal Moran, Andrew Walsh, Mark Corrigan, Fionnán Ó Gallchóir – 3 points, Ryan Mc Ardle, John Mc Crystal – 4 points, Cian Murphy – 6 points, Johnnie Wright – 2 points, Darragh Mulligan, Josh Curley, Oisín Reilly – 6 points, Ryan Mc Mahon.

7 Blackwater Steelers teams travelled to Drogheda on Saturday, the girls went to St. Joseph School to play Drogheda Ladies club and won all three games at U12, U14 and U16 levels, meanwhile all 4 boys teams went to St Mary’s Diocesan School and won 3 out of 4, unfortunately the U12 Boys did not have the required 10 players and had to forfeit the game.

U12 Boys:  Drogheda Bullets 9pts Blackwater Steelers 28pts

These U12 boys have the potential to be a brilliant team, full of energy, full of running and a good spread of scorers at this age. This was their 2nd win and it was well deserved with some wonderful performances from everyone, but unfortunately they had to give up their big “W” as they were just one player short to comply with the 10 player rule.

Team & Scorers: F. O Gallchoir 4pts, A. Walsh, J. Wright 4pts, C. Murphy 6pts, A. Corrigan 2pts, R. McArdle 2pts, J. Curley, O. Rolly 10pts & R.McMahon.

U14 Boys:  Drogheda Bullets 25pts Blackwater Steelers 52pts

This was a big win and a strong performance from these young Steeler boys; they outfought the Bullets in the first, 12pts to 4pts. The 2nd was a little tighter 11pts to 8pts but they owned the 3rd, the “Money Quarter” and really cashed in to the tune of 21pts to 6pts. The last was tight at 8pts to 7ts but the game was already won. This is a great start to the season but I’m sure Cavan Lakers will provide a stiff test in St. Macartans on Saturday.

Team & Scorers: Tiarnan O Rourke 14pts, Liam Conway 11pts, Casper Ostrowski 7pts, Conal Harpin 6pts, Rio Corrigan 6pts, Jamie Krisiulevicius 6pts, Che Trainor 2pts, Matthew Curley, Mark Donohoe, Dylan McPhillips, Michael McMorrow, Finn Sleator & Enri Shiels.

U16 Boys:  Drogheda Bullets 53pts Blackwater Steelers 41pts

The home side were dominant in this clash right from the tip-off; they were more aggressive, more athletic and had more basketball savvy. They took command of the first and made the Steelers look weak, but for some terrible finishing they could have been 20pts ahead, as it was the score was 13pts to 6pts. The 2nd was similar and anytime the big number 13 was on the court the Monaghan boys looked in trouble. However the Steelers made a strong rally late in the quarter to bring the deficit back to 2 in this period. Drogheda remained in control in the third but the Steelers got some joy from a press in the last, winning that period 15pts to 12pts. This was their first game out and they can only improve from here.

Team & Scorers: Gavin McPhillips 15pts, Karl Gallagher 8pts, Ben Ryan 6pts, Lorcan O Rourke 5pts, Cameron Liddle 3pts, Dylan McKenna 2pts, Luke Coyle 2pts, Sebastian Uglis 1pt, Conor McKenna, Kai McCaffery, Eoin Casey and Sebastian Ostrowski.

U18 Boys:  Drogheda Bullets 34pts Blackwater Steelers 64pts

This might look a convincing scoreline but it masks a much tougher game until the last quarter. Steelers started well and were in complete control of the game at 10pts to 2pts up only to let the Bullets back in to the game, the quarter finished 11pts to 15pts. The Monaghan side went out strong in the 2nd but some sloppy play let the home side back in, gave them a boost in confidence and made the game much more difficult. The half time score was 20pts to 29pts.

The third was similar although the Steelers had a 12pts lead by the end of it, with players tiring and mistakes being made the Steelers shut up shop, went to zone and attacked on the break. This broke open the game and they won convincingly. This was a good result for the first day out.

Team & Scorers: Andrew O Connor 15pts, Michael O Brien 11pts, Killian McAdam 9pts, Michael McDonnell 8pts, Cian Fitzgerald 7pts, Cormac O Hanlon 7pts, Robert Haynes 4pts, Ryan Treanor 3pts, Aaron Sherry & Donal Leonard.

The Girls

There is no scoring information to hand but the Girls were all victorious against the Drogheda Ladies Club. The U 12 girls won a very exiting game by a single point 13 to 12. The 14 girls were too strong for the Drogheda Ladies 14 B team and won by 40pts to 12pts and the 16 girls cruised to a 62pts to 34pts win.

Now that the Blackwater Steelers have been forced into the new unified North East Basketball League by the powers that be, we just have to get on with it and make the best of it. That process started at the weekend when we had 3 teams venturing in to new territory, the U 14 Girls travelled to Drogheda on Saturday to play their A team but unfortunately lost by 6pts, whereas the U 12 & 14 boys had better fortune on Sunday in Ratoath and won both games.

See more on this in Coach's Corner.

Congratulations to Alex Mulligan and Andrew O Connor from the Blackwater Steelers who collected their first Irish Caps on Saturday at a ceremony in the National Basketball Arena. Congratulations also to Verity O Connor who received her third Cap in recognition of her third European Championship.