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Portlaoise Panthers Season Preview

Thursday, 7 October 2021 14:29

Both the men's and women's teams begin their season this weekend.

For the Portlaoise Panthers pre-season is now in the books and the real action begins in Limerick on Saturday evening. 

A win over Waterford in their final exhibition outing took their record to 1-3 but don't let that fool you, the Laois club are set to be a force in this year's InsureMyVan.ie National League Division One.

It's almost two years now since the Panthers last took the court at it is a much changed set-up from the last league campaign, in which they finished 5-17 with a very youthful roster.  

Then coach Niall Berry has left to take up a role with Basketball Ireland and is replaced by Dubliner Mick Thompson. 

Thompson has over 35 years playing and coaching in Ireland, leading Templeogue and Eanna to National League titles and continuing that good work at Super League level. 

He's also spent time in the collegiate ranks with DIT. 

On the court, Australian Nelson Larkin is filling their designated professional player slot for the 2021/22 season. 

The 25-year-old has played at various levels in Australia, USA, Singapore, Finland and Georgia in the last half decade.

Other notable recruits include Luke Thompson who has had a glittering career to date with Templeogue, Conor Gallagher who had signed but is yet to make his debut due to the covid-19 pandemic and Irish underage international Rob Fagan. 

The Panthers goal for the season is undoubtedly finishing in the upper echelons of the league and they seem to have to capability to trouble any team on their day in the cup also. 

The vibes coming from the players in the camp are that the aforementioned Nelson Larkin is one of the best products to come to Ireland in recent years so he is definitely one to keep an eye on. 

There's a huge blend of youth and experience in the line-up and the coaching this year is littered with National titles and international experience. It all bodes well for a strong season on the court in 2021. 

First home game for this group is October 15th in what promises to be a top atmosphere in Portlaoise. 

Portlaoise Panthers Roster 2021/22: 

Davin McEvoy, Jack Dooley, Liam Kinsella, Sean Condon, Rob Fagan, Brendan Butler, Conor Byrne, Nelson Larkin, Astijus, Ian Lynch, Kyle Burke, Conor Gallagher, Gary Morrissey, Luke Thompson, Dylan Dunne. 

National League Division One Teams:

  • Limerick Sport Eagles
  • Portlaoise Panthers
  • Limerick Celtics
  • Scotts Lakers Killarney
  • Killarney Cougars
  • UCC Demons
  • Drogheda Wolves 
  • Titans
  • EJ Sligo All-Stars
  • McGowans Tolka Rovers
  • Ulster University
  • Abbey Seals Dublin Lions
  • IT Carlow
  • WIT Vikings
  • Grand Hotel Malahide
  • LYIT Donegal

InsureMyVan.ie Division 1 – Round 1 fixtures:

Saturday 9th October

Limerick Sport Eagles v Portlaoise Panthers, 1900

Limerick Celtics v Scotts Lakers Killarney, 1915

Killarney Cougars v UCC Demons, 1930

Drogheda Wolves v Titans, 1930

Ej Sligo All-Stars v McGowans Tolka Rovers, 1930

Ulster University v Abbey Seals Dublin Lions, 1930

Sunday 10th October

IT Carlow v WIT Vikings, 1230

Grand Hotel Malahide v LYIT Donegal, 1530

MissQuote.ie Division 1 - Round 1 fixtures:

Saturday 9th October

Limerick Sport Huskies v Portlaoise Panthers, 1700

Limerick Celtics v Tipperary Knights, 1700

Ulster University v Griffith College Templeogue, 1700

Swords Thunder v LYIT Donegal, 1730

Sunday 10th October

Marble City Hawks v NUIG Mystics, 1400

View from the bench:

Part of the coaching ticket this season, Panthers stalwart Jack Scully caught up with Midlands103's Sports Editor Robbie Fahy to chat about the roster and the opening weekend: 

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