UCC Demons

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UCC Demons
UCC Demons logo
LeaguesSuper League
HistoryBlue Demons
1973–1993, 1998–2002
UCC Demons
2002–present
ArenaMardyke Arena, UCC
LocationCork, Ireland
Team colorsBlue, white, red
PresidentPeter James Coughlan
Head coachColin O'Reilly
Championships8 (1974, '81, '84, '89, 2005, '09, '15, '16)
WebsiteBlueDemonsBC.com

UCC Demons is an Irish basketball team based in Cork. The team competes in the Super League and plays its home games at Mardyke Arena. The team is a division of Blue Demons Basketball Club and is directly associated with the University College Cork.

History

Early years

In 1959, a youth club known as De Paul Boys Club was established in Sunday's Well, Cork as a means for boys to play indoor sports between September and April. In 1966, a men's team entered the senior ranks of Cork Basketball. The team was built off the basis of De Paul, with most of the players in the inaugural team having come through the juvenile level with De Paul. Thus, Blue Demons Basketball Club was established. The name "Blue Demons" was the preferred choice as it was the nickname of the DePaul University college basketball team in Chicago, who were very generous in their support of the fledgling De Paul Boys Club. The year 1968 was a significant year for Blue Demons with participation in the first National Club Competition. The National Club Competition was the forerunner of the National League, which began in 1973.[1]

National League glory

Blue Demons were the inaugural winners of the National League in 1973–74. Their dominance was quickly overrun, as the Dublin sides rose during the late 1970s. By the early 1980s, the recruitment of American imports saw the league expand and grow in popularity. Basketball in Cork was huge as a result, with arch rivals Neptune and Blue Demons fighting out for supremacy throughout the 1980s. Behind the likes of Jasper McElroy and Anthony Jenkins, Blue Demons won three National League titles between 1981 and 1989.

Five-year National League hiatus

A form slump between 1989–90 and 1992–93 saw Blue Demons withdraw from the top flight National League in 1993. It was determined by then Club Chairman Barry Deasy that continuing their participation at senior national level would jeopardise the future of the club and make it impossible to maintain their juvenile and junior structure. In 1997, the club entered an intermediate squad in the Sprite National Cup to test their strength and standards in the hope of re-entering the National League in 1998. Behind Americans Lafelle McGilvery (27ppg) and John Owens (29ppg), as well as Shane Coughlan, Shane McCarthy and Noel Browne (vital members of Blue Demons' 1996 U19 Cup title), the team had victories over Limerick and St Gall's before meeting their match against Cup holders Denny Notre Dame.[2] Their successful five-year focus on junior basketball saw Blue Demons win the 1998 Club of the Year award courtesy of the Irish Basketball Association.

Return to action

In 1998, Blue Demons Basketball Club re-entered a team into the National League.[3] In 2002, the club teamed up with the University College Cork, and as a result, the National League team became known as "UCC Demons".[4][5] Three years later, Demons won their first title since 1989.[6] In 2009, Demons claimed their sixth National League title and fifth National Cup title.[7]

O'Reilly-Colbert era

The 2012–13 season saw Demons begin a dominant legacy in the National League, as they won the inaugural Champions Trophy title.[8] The following season saw them acquire the services of Irish international Colin O'Reilly, who joined as player/coach, and American import Lehmon Colbert. The pair guided Demons to their sixth National Cup title and a second consecutive Champions Trophy title.[9]

In 2014–15, UCC Demons created history in Irish basketball by becoming the first side ever to remain undefeated for an entire season. They claimed the end-of-season Champions Trophy on 29 March 2015 to add to their League and Cup titles in a campaign that saw them win 24 games in a row. In a thrilling Champions Trophy final in Galway, Demons saw off Templeogue 85–73 behind the play of O'Reilly and Colbert.[10] O'Reilly's superb season saw him awarded both the Player and Coach of the Year.[11]

In 2015–16, Demons won their eighth league title and their fourth consecutive Champions Trophy crown.[12] Colbert was rewarded for a career-high season with Player of the Year honours.[13]

Both O'Reilly and Colbert left UCC Demons in 2016,[14] and as a result, the team finished in sixth place in 2016–17. The pair returned Cork for the 2017–18 season.[15][16]

Achievements

  • 8× Irish National League champions: 1974, 1981, 1984, 1989, 2005, 2009, 2015, 2016[17][18]
  • 7× Irish National Cup champions: 1986, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2014, 2015[19]
  • 4× Irish Champions Trophy champions: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016

Current roster

Note: Flags indicate national team eligibility at FIBA-sanctioned events. Players may hold other non-FIBA nationality not displayed.

UCC Demons roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht.
G 4 Republic of Ireland O'Sullivan, Adrian 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
G 5 Republic of Ireland Hosford, Kyle 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
F/C 6 United States Colbert, Lehmon 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
F 12 Republic of Ireland O'Reilly, Niall 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
F 13 Republic of Ireland Cuff, Carleton 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
F 15 Republic of Ireland O'Mahony, Jack
F 23 Serbia Bucan, Darko 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
F 32 Republic of Ireland O'Reilly, Colin 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in)
F Republic of Ireland Buckley, Shane
C Republic of Ireland Ryan, Conor 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in)
Head coach
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured
Updated: 15 September 2017

Notable past players

  • United States Anthony Jenkins
  • United States Jasper McElroy

References

  1. ^ A BRIEF HISTORY OF BLUE DEMONS BASKETBALL CLUB
  2. ^ Import problems pile up for Vin's
  3. ^ New superleague format
  4. ^ UCC Demons have the edge
  5. ^ UCC Sports Stars honoured at Award Ceremony - 29 April 2003
  6. ^ Demons claim Men's title
  7. ^ BASKETBALL IRELAND SUPERLEAGUE WINNERS
  8. ^ Basketball Ireland league finals round-up
  9. ^ Basketball Ireland round up: League finals
  10. ^ C&S UCC Demons end season unbeaten
  11. ^ Basketball Ireland awards for Colin O'Reilly and Niamh Dwyer
  12. ^ DEMONS CLAIM END OF SEASON CHAMPIONS TROPHY
  13. ^ BASKETBALL IRELAND ANNUAL AWARDS 2016
  14. ^ PREVIEW: MEN'S SUPER LEAGUE OPENER
  15. ^ COLIN O’REILLY NAMED AS HEAD COACH FOR 2017/18 SEASON
  16. ^ PREVIEW: WE LOOK AHEAD TO THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES
  17. ^ HONOURS
  18. ^ Roll of Honour 1973 - 2014
  19. ^ BASKETBALL IRELAND SUPERLEAGUE WINNERS

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=UCC_Demons&oldid=803111334"