Main picture: Inpho. File pictures: Eamonn Keogh
St Paul’s brilliant triumph in the Under 20 Men’s National League Plate final resulted in scenes of great joy at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Saturday but three generations of one Killarney family had more cause than most to celebrate the wonderful and historic occasion.
Hotshot and team captain Mark Sheehan’s ability to land crucial three-pointers – he netted a total of 23 points against Templeogue – was a key factor in the 78-65 victory and he has already shown at senior level this season that he is one of the most talented young players in the game.
Watching on with pride in Tallaght was Mark’s dad, Paul Sheehan, who is the current St Paul’s chairman and he has dedicated much of his life to the promotion of basketball in his home town, both as a player and an administrator.
And to complete the remarkable generation game, tuning in at home in Killarney, and clad in the black and white club colours, was Paul’s father and Mark’s granddad, Christy Sheehan, a fine basketballer in his day, who is the current club president and was one of the founder members of St Paul’s back in 1985.
Also watching on in Tallaght was Mark’s uncle, Joey Sheehan, who was a very accomplished basketballer in his own right, having played with some of the greats of the game at a national level,and now coaches with St Paul’s.
Sporting dynasties in Kerry are usually reserved for Gaelic football but the Sheehan family is certainly flying the basketball flag with pride and taking great delight in the success of the youngest generation as their hoop dreams are coming to fruition.
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