BANTRY Basketball Club’s young guns are making headlines at home and abroad.

Just last month, the club’s U14s made history by winning the All-Ireland club championship, and now seven Bantry players helped Cork U14 and U18 teams triumph at the Globasket international tournament held in Lloret de Mar in Spain.

Emily O’Neill, Mary Keohane, Fia Russell, Anna Harrington, Callie O’Donoghue and Emma O’Connor were part of the 12-player Cork U14 team that was coached by Bantry coach Niamh O’Neill, with Lorraine O’Connor as team manager.

The Cork U18 team was captained by Bantry ace Abbie O’Sullivan.

This was a historic tournament for many reasons, including it being the first time any team has been sent abroad to represent the Cork Ladies Basketball Board.

Cork U18 captain Abbie O’Sullivan, from Bantry, receives the cup.

The Cork U14 team competed in the U14A division, and played teams from across Europe. Wins against London-based RDF Eagles, and Belgian sides Basket Haspengouw, Gent-Oost Eagles and Avanti Brugge Dames set up a final against the latter opponents again. Cork came out on top, winning 75-47, with big performances from the Bantry contingent.

Emily O’Neill dominated the floor on both ends, leading the team from the point guard position. Mary Keohane played a vital role as a key defender and a very steady ball handler. Fia Russell, known for her ability to defend some very good players, proved her strength in the final. Anna Harrington and Emma O’Connor dominated the boards, winning some big rebounds against the bigger Belgians. Callie O’Donoghue found her rhythm outside the arc and sank some big three-point shots.

The Cork U18 team, coached by Irish international Annaliese Murphy and Cork basketball stalwart Clodagh O’Driscoll, proved their class too. Led by captain Abbie O’Sullivan, they brought home the cup after an impressive run in their pool games against Basket Haspengouw, Avanti Brugge Dames and Mercurius Foxes before beating Basket@Sea 65-44 in the final.