On our way to  the semi-final we defeated  four teams. We then went on to a thrilling semi-final. The first semi-final was played at home where we narrowly beat our opponents  by three points. The return visit  for the second semi-final proved too much for us. The other girls showed great skills in their stunning ball play. Devastated we came to terms with our loss and I hope that the winners  do well in the finals.

"What a weekend, no team in Irish sport has ever pulled it off. Not the great Kerry football team; not Christy Ring and his fellow Cork hurlers; not Mick Gawley’s all-conquering Shannon rugby heroes; not even Neptune. Big Al’s have continued for the last four years to win the ESB cup or formally known as the Sprite Cup. This year their title ended as they were defeated by Thorn Killester from North Dublin. They left devastated, and without the cup.

On the other hand Killester, with their stunning ball skills, were into the final. To a rapturous ovation Dad Jerome Westbrooks and son Michael Westbrooks trotted out to play their first final together in the national league, and what a final it was! Leaving the court at half time it looked as if the match was over for Killester as their opponents Longnecks Ballina were leading by twelve points. Ten minutes later both teams sprinted out with their heads high in the air. Coming up to the end of the third quarter Killester pulled together and were leading by six points.

The final quarter saw the stronger team gain possession of the ball and Killester were the holders of the silverware for the year 2001.

I think you would all agree that this weekend was action packed, fast paced and most importantly unpredictable as the top guns fought it out for the newly sponsored ESB cup".