A Little "Bit" of Irish Basketball History: (Cork) Neptune

Back in the 40's a couple of the Cork youngsters running in and out of the gym up at Collins Barracks were Donal O'Donoghue and Niall O'Riordan. It wasn't long before they and Donal's brothers Leo and Jim among others like Finbar O'Mahony got the idea to start their own club. With the guidance from Humphrey Lynch (the first club Chairman), Tossy Brunton, Jimmy Roche and other members of the An Slua Muiri (Naval Service) in Cork, Neptune was established as the first independent "civilian" club in the country in 1947. In those early years they competed in the local street leagues.

Initially their main practice facility was usually the O'Donoghue's yard on Barry's Place off of Cathedral Road. As more neighborhood youngsters like Niall O'Riordan, Jimmy and Liam O'Connell, Liam McGinn and Mickey Finn joined in the games, a bigger area was needed. The location shifted next door to what became known simply as Finn's yard. This consisted of a piece of plywood hanging off the side of Mickey Finn's mother's house and a court the players built. Listen to Neptune Legend, Jim O'Donogue talk about Barry's Place. A major upgrade occurred when the local school next door on Cathedral Road was built and the club offered to build a full outdoor court. This was quickly commandeered by these hoopsters and became Neptune's primary practice facility for many years until they got this idea to build a "little stadium". The Story of Neptune StadiumOver the years Neptune became a major promoter of the sport. In 1958 they participated in the first Cork Basketball Championship game held at the Parochial Hall. Later in 1964 they helped co-ordinate the Lota Tournament , one of the first tourneys in Cork and expanded their youth and girls programs until they were one of the largest, most successful basketball clubs in the country.

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** For more memories and stories about these early days of Neptune days See the info on the book ( Gods by the Lee) written by Neptune legend Jim O'Donoghue. Go to the Stories and Books Page