U19 B Boys Basketball All Ireland Champions
Coláiste Chú Chulainn have etched their name in history as the U19 B Boys All-Ireland Schools League Champions, securing a fantastic 70-59 victory over Salesians at the National Basketball Arena on Thursday.
This was a true team effort, with captain Franciszek Chmielecki leading the charge, scoring an impressive 18 points. The scoring was evenly spread across the team, highlighting their depth and teamwork, as Joseph Osagie (17 points), David Osagie (16 points), and Mascuud Amir Haji (16 points) all made vital contributions to this incredible win.
The game started off as a tight contest, with Coláiste Chú Chulainn holding a 19-17 lead after the first quarter. As the match progressed, they steadily built momentum, extending their advantage to 35-30 by halftime.
The third quarter was where Coláiste Chú Chulainn truly stamped their authority on the game, launching a breathtaking 19-point scoring run to take control. A brilliant corner three from Mascuud Amir Haji pushed them to a 46-30 lead, before Chmielecki’s emphatic dunk sealed a dominant quarter at 54-30.
Salesians fought hard in the fourth quarter, but Coláiste Chú Chulainn stood firm. A clutch three-pointer from Chmielecki, followed by a key basket from Joseph Osagie, put them in a commanding position at 61-42. Despite Salesians’ late efforts, cool heads and precise free throws from Chmielecki and Amir Haji ensured Coláiste Chú Chulainn’s well-deserved triumph.
Speaking after the game, Coach Mr. Slowey expressed his immense pride in the team:
“Absolutely delighted to get over the line! Salesians beat us in the U16 cup final a few weeks ago, so we owed them one, and today was our turn. I’m so proud of our lads – they’ve worked incredibly hard for this moment, training through summer, midterm breaks, and Christmas holidays. They truly deserve this, and now we’re moving up to ‘A’ basketball, where they belong.”
This victory is a testament to the dedication, resilience, and skill of Coláiste Chú Chulainn’s players and coaches. Huge congratulations to the entire team on this historic achievement—what a moment for the school and the community!
Champions of Ireland!
Quarter Scores: Q1 19-17, Q2 16-13, Q3: 19-4, Q4 16-25
Coláiste Chu Chulainn:
Maciej Dobros, Kevin Mincans, Joseph Osagie, Mascuud Amir Haji, Franciszek Chmielecki, Belvis Osadiaye Nosa, David Osagie, Mylka Paloso Kabangu, James Obisan, Fahd Monney, Christos Kostopoulos, Miguel López Río.
Top Scorers: Franciszek Chmielecki (18), Joseph Osagie (17), David Osagie and Mascuud Amir Haji (both 16)
Head Coach: Mr. K Slowey, Mr. A Murray.
