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Irelands oldest basketball competition, the intervarsities
was first played in 1952. Four teams participated in
that competition UCD, UCG, RCSI and TCD. The first winners
of the trophy were UCG. It is believed that UCG had
two players from Newfoundland on the team, who had been
studying Marine biology in Galway and it was these players
who made the difference between themselves and the other
teams.
The American ambassador presented the trophy for the
tournament in 1953 as his son was a student in RCSI
at the time and he was so impressed with the tournament
that he decided to donate the trophy for the Men's tournament.
The tournament expanded during the 1950's and as far
as we know UCC joined in 1955, by the early 1960's there
were six teams involved; UCD, UCC, UCG, TCD, RCSI &
QUB. In the mid 1960's they were joined by St Patrick's
college Maynooth (NUIM) and later on by the new University
of Ulster Coleraine (UUC). These eight teams continued
to compete for the Embassy cup until the late 1980's.
They were joined by University of Ulster Jordanstown
in 1990 and in 1992 by DCU & the University of Limerick
bring the number of teams up to eleven. The University
of Ulster Magee joined in 1997 and brought the competition
to a twelve-team tournament. It has remained at this
until now, this weekend through the inclusion of various
colleges & Institute's of Technology the total number
of colleges taking part is nineteen or to put it another
way thirty- seven teams!
The ladies tournament was first competed for in 1966,
the founding members were UCD, UCG, UCC, and TCD, again
by the early 1970's this tournament had extended to
eight teams. The ladies tournament was similar to the
men's thereafter. The Dean of Women's Studies in UCD
donated the ladies trophy, as she had been senior treasurer
of the ladies club for a considerable number of years.
This trophy was last presented to UUJ in 1997 and seems
to have been lost there after.
The Ladies plate is named after Harry Boland, who was
a founder member of the Irish basketball Association
and participated in the 1948 Olympics being the first
and only time that Ireland have had a basketball team
in the Olympics.
Many famous players both Men & Women have participated
in the intervarsity competition over the years, some
have gone on to represent Ireland, many have participated
in the top leagues both here and abroad. Many students
from abroad have participated in the competition from
all parts of the world, including USA, Canada, Switzerland,
Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Australia, Singapore,
South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran to name a
few.
Probably the most famous family to participate in the
intervarsities over the years were the Meany family
from Dublin. Paul and Michael played varsity with UCD
in the 1970's. Michael later marrying Pauline McCarthy
who also won an intervarsity with UCD in 1977. Paul's
two sons Kevin & Niall were on the UCD winning team
in 2004 and their younger brother plays this year.
The Donnelly brothers from Dublin. Karl won an intervarsity
with UUJ in 1997. James won an intervarsity with UCD
in 2004. David won an intervarsity with UCD in 1999.
Emmet played for DCU for one year in the mid 1990's.
Five of the Kyne sisters from Oughtarard in Country
Galway have played in the Intervarsity over the years.
Three with Limerick, one with DCU and one with both
TCD & UCD.
The Donnelly brothers from Belfast played against each
other in an intervarsity final in 1994. One for UUJ
and the other for QUB.
The University of Ulster hold a record in the Intervarsities
that on one occasion when they were unable to field
a Ladies team but having one exceptional female player,
they sought permission of the committee that she be
allowed to play with the Men's team. She did so and
was starting five in their three pool games.
UCD & UUJ are the only teams to win the men and
women's tournament in the same year.
UCG have the unique record of having won the first
intervarsity in 1952, but not winning a second until
1987.
University of Limerick Ladies have a unique distinction
of winning twelve out of fourteen finals (from 1991
- 2005). A record that will never be surpassed.
UCD have won the men's and Women's Varsity and Colleges
league in the same year (1988)
Perhaps the longest break from varsity duty is attributed
to Jim Edgar, He played in his first intervarsity in
1979 for QUB and returned to varsity duty in 1999 where
he played for UUJ.
Adrian Fulton & Garreth Maguire both represented
UUJ in the 1990's and both went on to play for Ireland
internationally. They have the unique distinction of
being the only two Irish born players on the team that
won the promotions Cup in Europe.
The worst record in the Intervarsities finals must
go to UCD men who lost four finals in a row 1982, 1983,
1984 & 1985
Michael McEnroe (Brother of John McEnroe, Wimbledon
Tennis Champion) won an intervarsity with TCD in 1983.
UCC men are the only men's team to win the tournament
four times in a row , this happened in the late 1960's
early 1970's, they were led by Tim Regan who also won
an All Ireland medal with Kerry in the 1970's.
2001 is a unique year in intervarsity history due to
the Foot & Mouth outbreak; the competition never
took place it was to be hosted by NUIM.
UUJ had the honour of hosting the 50th Intervarsities
in 2002
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