Jago's Corner
Ger Jago is one of the most experienced players currently playing in ths Superleague. Jago has represented ireland at Junior and Senior level and won every possible piece of silverware as a Junior and Senior player with Shamrock Rovers Hoops. After a couple of seasons playing in D1 Jago has returned to play in the Superleague. Jago writes a weekly diary / column for streetballireland.com on basketball, life and his experiences.
Diary 3 13/12/2007
Tis the season to be jolly... And all at hoops are in a very festive mood following our cup quarter final victory over demons yesterday Sunday. Its been an eventful week here at hoops following a good win over ucd last weekend a win made even sweeter by the fact we did it without one of our most innfluencial players (Ian o' Boyle) as most of you know Ian was ejected during the second quarter for disputing a call. A strange decision if you ask me but sure when did I ever agree with a referee.
So began our weeks build up to the demons game and at Monday nights practice we were hit with the bombshell that our bosman Big Nik was heading back to his native Athens. A shock and a surprise and then again not really. Nik struggled to find his feet in the superleague but I'd like to wish him the best in whatever career path he takes. We worked our ass off last week in practice going five on five for hours on end perfecting our game plan for Sunday.
And so to the weekend....... Well Saturday night as the song says oh what a night....... First Liverpool get beaten then I couldn't drink (much) and it was my mates stag party and finally at 545am Sunday Ricky the hitman hatton decided to loaf the ring post and bite the dust. So all and all the trip to the rebel county didn't really appeal to me. But off we set and two and a half hours later there we were. Hit the mardyke early and got to watch a superb under 20 cup game between demons and Belfast star. Demons looked like they were well in command throughout the game but any team coached by Adrian Fulton is never going to quit he just wouldn't allow it. So from 15 down star went on to win by almost 20. And so to our game.....
Talk about a slow start down 18 at the end of the first, Shane coughlan shooting well and getting to the charity stripe with frequency and ease. Half time still down. Following an inspiring team talk from both martin and j reed we started like a team possesed we went on a 22 to 0 run and just kept the pressure on right until the end of the game. I think we wanted it more we owed demons after they stole one from us to prevent us from reaching the final four last year. Credit where its due fair play to the demons fans who applauded is from the court.
I was lucky enough to meet my old Irish assistant coach dommie mullin,s while in the mardyke. It was great to see him again and we talked about the good old days fondly remembering our time spent as mentor and student. So we have marched on to the cup promised land we got here through hard work and team work.
Ni shuilfidh tu riomh I d'anor
Until next week sports fans.