Basketball has been an integral and successful part of the sports programme in Templeogue College for decades. It was the basketball players from Templeogue College who layed the foundation for the Templeogue College Basketball Club. In 1976 a number of past pupils of the school became the cornerstone of the club and is the only school activity that has realised a past pupils club.
The gym facilities at that time was the envy of many schools. The gym had a multi purpose use as a PE gym and concert hall. The wooden floor of the gym was an excellent playing surface. There was a removable board bolted onto the stage floor with the second board attached to the gyms end wall. The gym size meant that the ball was out of bounds if it touched the side walls. But there were other obstacles to avoid also. Players had to watch out for the climbing bars located along one wall or the climbing ropes tied against the far wall at half court. Most importantly it was important to make sure you did not crash into the stage or end up with your leg stuck in the stage trap door especially if you forgot to slow down on a lay up.
The gym was the basketball haven, it was small but acceptable. This was true when one considers that some schools had only outdoor courts but Templeogue College had a gym and had 2 outdoor courts. The basket on the stage was replaced by one suspended above the stage. The original wooden floor has survived the years but competitive games no longer take place as the size of the gym does not conform to regulations.
Early days the students had a junior and senior team with training under the guidance of Fr Joe Murphy and Colm Leahy. Fr Joe Murphy organised a training session in the gym for all those who were interested during lunch break. A group of eager students began by dribbled and shooting the basketball. They were keen to learn and play as Fr Joe got them to appreciate the fundamentals of the game within the confines of the college gym.
It was from this group of players that the main body of the club would be made up of when they left the College. Colm Leahy commenced coaching in the school in 1972. He was an experienced and successful player with the top national league teams in the country, St Vincents Glasnevin. With an enthusiastic group of players keen for competition, teams were picked and entered into the schools leagues. The original days of schools basketball were mostly a series of irregularly organised friendly games, but as the leagues became more organised so did the game in Templeogue.
The college senior team that was picked under the captaincy of John Wims was Philip Whitmore, Gerry Carroll, Paul Cunningham, Nobby Gallagher, Conor McCarthy, Finbar McCarthy, Arthur Dean, Michael Carroll Stephen Mc Carthy and Michael McCarthy. This senior school team would pave the way for basketball to be established in the school and generate an interest in the game and encourage more students to become players. Many memories of the early years revolved around away games to Castleknock College or Belgium.
Game in Castleknock College involved the journey up and down Knockmaroon Hill and were full of incidents. Would the school bus make it up the hill and would it stop at the junction on the way down.
In 1975 the school team travelled to Belgium to play a number of games. The cost per player was 19 pounds and was responsible for the development of a number of friendships which lasted beyond the school years.These were the halcyon days for Templeogue, year after year, from 1973 to 1978 numerous competitions leagues, cups, blitzes and challenge games were won.
Many of the players were honoured with Provincial and National honours. Pat Duffy was probably the best player of his time in the school, Tom Mc Loughlin without doubt one of the most committed whilst Martin O'Brien was the first underage Irish International.
In the early years John Wims was a much respected player, referee and coach and along with Philip Whitmore Brennan, Gerry Carroll and Conor Mc Carthy they contributed much to basketball in the school. There were many more in the early years among those were Cathal McCarthy, Mick White, Joe Kavanagh, Tom Fitzpatrick, Gerry Mahon, Chris Moore, Eddie Guilmartin, Mick James, Johnny Murphy and Ciaran Mc Mahon.
A number of players represented county, provincial and national underage teams. The following players who were selected for the national underage teams include: Martin O'Brien, Anton McDonnell, Ronan McLoughlin, Alan O'Brien, James Guilmartin, David Guilmartin, Joseph Slevin, Sean Flood, Iarla McKeon, Finn McKeon, Jack Walsh, Sam Walsh, Conor Flood, Hugo Mc Donald and Matthew Harper.
Coaches over the years include: Colm Leahy, Fr Joe Murphy, Kieran Mills, Mick White, Paul Dunne, Eddie Guilmartin, Philip Rigney, Tom Milhallof, Ann Collins, Angela McMathuna, Aileen O’Mahony, Sean O'Connor and Joe Smith.
The school has three under 16 and one Under 19 All Ireland titles and basketball has flourished over the years. The students participate at all levels and competitions. The competition have included Dublin, Regional and National levels, at first year, second year, Under 13, Under 14, Under 16 and Under 19 age groups.
It was in 1999 that the entire school travelled to the National Basketball Arena to support the team in the All Ireland final. A fleet of buses transported the supporters to Tallaght to witness Mark Hargadon score a magnificent 32 point in the second half to secure a victory over Kilkenny College and Templeogue first national basketball title.
The same mass exodus of the school to the arena occurred in 2004 for the under 16 all Ireland final and again in 2013 when the Under 19s competed in the 'A' final. The underage school teams have reached Dublin League finals which are hosted in the Oblate Hall, Inchicore whilst the All Ireland finals are held in University Of Limerick sports complex.
The school have competed with some of the biggest names in school basketball over the years from all corners of the country. From genuine nail biting games to comfortable victories the teams have represented the college at all levels. Titles have been competed for with ease whilst other have seen great comebacks, some falling short whilst other pushed the team to victory.
Many of the students have been selected for local, regional and national teams as players, coaches and referees. Some players have gone on to play with national league clubs and American College teams. Many of the players in the school play for clubs within the locality including Templeogue and bring the experiences to further basketball in the College.
2018 was a milestone in the history of basketball in the college as Basketball Ireland awarded Templeogue College the title of All Ireland School of the Year. It followed a very successful run in all school competitions that year the most prestigious winning the Under 19A All Ireland National Cup. The following year the Under 16 team won the All Ireland A League Championship and School Coach of the Year.
It was from a small gym and enthusiastic and committed coaches and players that basketball has achieved and represented the College over the years.
Templeogue College Basketball Roll of Honour
1973 -74
U14 Dublin league winners
U16 Leinster league winners
1974 - 75
U14 Dublin league winners
Leinster league winners
1975 -76
Senior Dublin league winners
1976 -77
U14 Leinster league winners
U16 Leinster and Dublin league winners
1978-79
U18 Leinster league winners
1979-80
U16 championship winners
1980-81
U16 League winners
1982-83
U18 league winners
U14 championship winners
1983-84
U14 championship winners
U18 league runners up
1984-85
U14 championship winners
1999
Under 19B All Ireland champions
2004
U16C All Ireland cup champions
U16C Dublin league winners
2005
U16B All Ireland cup champions
U16B All Ireland league champions
U16B Dublin league
2008
U16A Plate Champions
2014
First Year A Dublin League Champions
Second Year A Dublin League Champions
Second Year A All Ireland Bronze Medal winners
2016
Second Year Dublin A Champions
2018
Under 16A Dublin Champions
Under 19A Dublin Champions
Under 19A All Ireland League Champions
Basketball Ireland School of the Year
2019
Under 16A Dublin Champions
Schools Coach of the Year
2019 - 2020
Under 19A Dublin semi finalists
Under 19A All Ireland Quarter Finalists
Under 16A All Ireland Cup Semi Finalists