McGarrity says Monk must use triumph as stepping stone

Whether on the GAA pitches of James Stephens Park, MacHale Park or Croke Park, or the courts of Ballina Sports Complex or the National Basketball Arena, Ronan McGarrity has enjoyed a storied career, but one thing remained missing: a national basketball title with his hometown.

He had played in national finals before, getting to the 2017 National Cup Final with EJ Sligo All-Stars, but this meant something on a different level, as Merry Monk Ballina won the BIDL Men’s Plate last Saturday in Tallaght. For McGarrity, he hopes this is the start of a new era for basketball in the town.

“I can't hide my delight. I think it's a stepping stone," he told the Western People. "It's not the big game, it's not the final of the Super League, but we have to take it and win. We've got a victory and I'm absolutely delighted for the young lads.” 

On the game, McGarrity offered: “The winning and losing of that game was the third quarter and a young guy, Theo Daly, stepped up and scored [14] points in the third quarter, phenomenal.

“We talked at half-time just to have confidence in everybody and for somebody to step up and do that… that was the winning and losing the game. It was absolutely fantastic. It brings great joy and a smile to my face to see something like that happen for a young guy who’s really dedicated himself and really works incredibly hard, and he gets rewarded today. It's brilliant.

“I'll be very honest, I was huffing and puffing there at the end of the first-half, so I was delighted to get a bit of relief,” admitted the 43-year-old veteran. “Things started going our way and the shots started dropping and we got our second breath in the third quarter, so I was very, very relieved. It was fantastic to see, and Theo deserves it.” 

A St Muredach’s College alumnus, Ronan McGarrity has watched a new generation of talent make the National Basketball Arena another home these past few years and he paid tribute to not just those players, but the people behind the scenes who guided them there.

“I suppose when I was growing up, the whole foundation of the club is on the youth and developing the youth. Give credit to Derek (Cunningham) and all the guys that are involved in the underage set up, to bring these guys through.

“As everybody knows, this doesn't happen overnight. It's taken ten, fifteen years to bring these guys through and they've dedicated themselves. They're getting their just rewards now, which is fantastic, and it can only go further and further.

“We were joking actually coming in. This is nearly like a home venue for some of those guys because with the success St Muredach’s have had over the last two years, these young guys have played here multiple times. For the likes of me, you'd be looking to get to play once or twice a year. They're not afraid of this arena or this area or the environment and they've been in pressure games.” 

What happens next for Merry Monk Ballina will make for fascinating viewing following an eleventh national title. McGarrity believes competing regularly with the very top sides in the country is not just possible, but a must for the ‘home of Mayo basketball’.

“I think it has to be a stepping stone. We need to take it a step further. I think there's a great market there for basketball in Ballina. I would always say, controversially, the home of Mayo basketball is Ballina and I'd be delighted to see a Division 1 team there someday.

“Whether that'll be next year or in two years’ time, I think that's what we have to look at and we can’t accept anything else really.”