Varsities

The DKIT basketball team took part in the 56th all Ireland Varsities last
week. The tournament began on Wednesday the fourth of march and went on in
to the weekend. The team were playing in the B division and had four other
teams in their group with Griffith College, Letterkenny IT, NUIM and UUC.

The first game was against Griffith College on the Wednesday and Dundalk
took full advantage of fact that this was the Dublin team's first ever
varsities by winning 31-15. The second game was played on Thursday morning
against UUC. Although Dundalk went on to win the game by six points 44-38
this game was most note worthy for the loss of one of D Kit's star players
Darren McGovern who went out with a torn calf which sidelined him for the
rest of the tournament. NUIM were the next team and buoyant on the
previous two victories DKIT again put in a brave display and came away
with the points running out 48-44 winners. It had been a close game but
with hard work from Gerard Cunningham Stephen Nolan,Brian O'Donnell and
Zhang Chen Dundalk got the win they deserved.
Dundalk were now 3-0 and standing at the top of the group with Letterkenny
IT left to play. Confidence was high even if The players were a bit tired
and on Thursday evening the game began. Dundalk went in to an early lead
and by half time were 13 points up. But the men from Letterkenny came back
in the third quarter to level the game. Lack of concentration on defence
eventually cost Dundalk the game with Letterkenny winning 62-50. At this
time three teams were 3-1, DKIT, LYIT and UUC. It now came down to points
to see which team would progress to the semi-finals.
Friday morning the team got the word. DKIT had finished third due to point
difference. The loss to LYIT had been too great so UUC and LYIT progressed
and Dundalk were left to play the garda college in a standings match.
After a tough game the garda college managed to break the DKIT defence and
come our the winners by four points.
Overall a better result then last years one win however every player from
the team knew that the final was well within their grasp but it was not to
be Dundalk's year. So all that is now left to do is to prepare for next
years and to learn from mistakes made.