Portlaoise Panthers U/17s roar to historic success

THE Portlaoise Panthers have written a remarkable new chapter in their club’s history by capturing the Billy Kelly Cup for the very first time on Saturday and announcing themselves as a rising force in Irish underage basketball.

In a tournament widely regarded as one of the most prestigious youth competitions in the country, their breakthrough triumph represents both a culmination of years of development and a defining moment for basketball in Laois.

Held annually in Cork, the Billy Kelly Tournament brings together some of the strongest youth teams from across Ireland and beyond, with clubs competing through group stages and knockout rounds over an intense two-day schedule.

This year, the Portlaoise Panthers entered the competition as part of a competitive pool that included sides such as Limerick Celtics and St Vincent’s, highlighting the scale of the challenge they faced from the outset.

Yet, from the early stages of the tournament, there were clear signs that this Panthers’ team possessed something special. Building on recent years of steady progress, the squad displayed a level of cohesion, athleticism, and tactical discipline that set them apart.

Only last year, the club’s U/17 side had reached the quarter-finals before bowing out to eventual champions Oblates, a run that hinted at their growing potential but ultimately fell short of silverware.

This time, however, there would be no such disappointment. Game by game, the Panthers grew in confidence and sailed through the group stages to set up a tie in the last 16 against Galway Titans where they dug deep and won 39-28 to set up a quarter-final class against Tolka Rovers.

Their defence proved particularly impressive, restricting high-quality opposition while transitioning quickly into attack which was a feature to get by the challenge of Tolka Rovers 56-39.

As the knockout rounds unfolded, their belief only strengthened, with key performances emerging at crucial moments.

Next up was a clash with home favourites Ballincollig, and although The Panthers didn’t have their best performance of the weekend, but they booked their place in the final against Limerick Lions who were overall favourites coming into the tournament.

By the time they reached the final, Portlaoise were now showing huge confidence, and they produced a championship winning display in the final.

In the decider, they combined resilience with moments of individual brilliance, executing their game plan with maturity beyond their years beating the Limerick side 63-51 The final whistle sparked scenes of jubilation, as players, coaches, and supporters celebrated a landmark achievement for the club.

What makes this victory especially significant is the context of the Billy Kelly Cup itself. With over four decades of history and a reputation for showcasing elite young talent, winning the tournament places the Panthers among an esteemed group of champions and signals their arrival on the national stage.

Beyond the trophy, the weekends success reflects the strength of the club’s development pathway. The journey from quarter-finalists in 2025 to champions in 2026 illustrates not just improvement, but a culture of resilience and ambition.

It also serves as inspiration for younger players within the club, demonstrating that sustained effort and belief can lead to historic success.

For Portlaoise, this is more than just a win—it is a milestone that will shape the club’s future. The Panthers have broken new ground, and in doing so, they have set a benchmark for what can be achieved.

Portlaoise head coach Jack Scully hailed his team’s ability and performance throughout the tournament leaving the best performance until last and confirmed his future plans.

“Our best performance of the weekend was the final as Limerick Lions are the U/16 champions from last year, they were favourites going into this tournament. To get a shot to play against them in the final and beating them is really pleasing.

“It’s without doubt the biggest underage success the club has ever had on the boy’s side. Its hugely pleasing.

“These boys are massively talented, they are generational players, they can play at any level they want to. They can go to the States, they can go to the super league, most are already playing at the national level with Ireland.

“The future is bright for these players; they can definitely play at any level they want to. I’m massively proud of the club, parents and all the kids making the effort to travel down to Cork over the last few days.

“To win all seven games in the competition against the top teams is no mean feat, it’s something I’m really, really proud of.

“I stood down as the Men’s coach a few weeks ago, but I will stay with the underage going forward. We aren’t finished yet this year we have the U/16 all Irelands in a few weeks which I’m looking forward to, but for next year I won’t be coaching any senior basketball.

“But I will be definitely staying with underage with this group going forward to U/18 level and maybe U/20 level.” PORTLAOISE PANTHERS PANEL: Senan O’Brien, Justice Iheme, Prince Iheme, Ben Quigley, Giovanni Odesalor, Noah Barbour, Evan Brannigan, Borna Jozic, Senan O’Connell, Sami Ahmed, Ben Heffernan, Noah Finn, Sochima Onourah, Jim Hanamy.

Coach: Jack Scully. Assistant coach: Mark Bartley.