Limerick Sport Eagles is an Irish basketball team based in Limerick. The team competes in the National League Division One and plays its home games at the University of Limerick's Sport Arena.
| Limerick Sport Eagles | |
|---|---|
| League | National League Division One |
| History | Burger King Limerick 1999–2004 Limerick Lions 2004–2009 UL Eagles 2009–2017 UL Sport Eagles 2018–2020 Limerick Sport Eagles 2021–present |
| Arena | UL Sport Arena |
| Location | Limerick, Ireland |
| Team colors | Blue & White |
| Championships | 2 (2012, 2013) |
History
editEarly years
editPrior to the late 1990s, Limerick's presence in the Irish National League was represented by Marathon Basketball Club.[1] In 1999, Marathon's National League team became known as Burger King Limerick.[2]
In 2002, Burger King Limerick celebrated their first-ever Irish Cup title after defeating Star of the Sea in the final.[3][4][5] A year earlier, American Cleotis Brown was named Basketball Ireland Foreign Player of the Year.[6][7]
In 2004, Marathon Basketball Club was renamed Limerick Lions Basketball Club, and thus, Burger King Limerick became Limerick Lions.[8]
UL Eagles
editIn 2009, Limerick Lions Basketball Club parted ways with the National League team. As a result, the University of Limerick absorbed the team and rebranded it as UL Eagles.[9]
In February 2012, UL Eagles won their first National Cup title since 2002 after defeating UCC Demons in the final.[10][11] Eagles went on to win a historic National League title in March 2012,[12] and backed that up in 2013 by defending their title.[13] In February 2015, long-time servant of the team, Welshman Matt Hall, announced his retirement after 15 years of playing in Limerick.[14]
After finishing last in the Super League table in 2016–17, UL Eagles were demoted to the Basketball Ireland Men's Division One National League for the 2017–18 season.[15][16][17] However, in September 2017, the team withdrew from the National League entirely.[18] The team returned as the UL Sport Eagles in the National League Division One in the 2018–19 season.[19] They continued in Division One as UL Sport Eagles in the 2019–20 season.[20]
Limerick Sport Eagles
editIn 2020, the team was renamed Limerick Sport Eagles.[21] The 2020–21 Division One season did not go ahead due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[22][23][24] The Limerick Sport Eagles continued in Division One in the 2021–22 season.[25] In 2022–23, the team reached the Division One final.[26]
Achievements
edit- 2× Irish National League champions: 2012, 2013[27]
- 2× Irish National Cup champions: 2002, 2012
References
edit- ^ Postgame Interview - Marathon Basketball Club - Ireland 1996
- ^ The New Improved Marathon Basketball Site
- ^ Limerick win Senior Men's Basketball Cup
- ^ Early lead gives Limerick edge
- ^ ESB Irish Cup 2002: Limerick twist past Star
- ^ Limerick Lions TV - History: National Cup Champions 2002
- ^ Vincent's out to make amends
- ^ Tigers tops but Lions are on a roll
- ^ THE UL EAGLES GET SET TO SOAR!
- ^ Double success for Limerick basketball
- ^ UL Basketball Teams are victorious at Superleague National Cup
- ^ Double double for UL Basketball
- ^ UL Eagles lifted the Nivea For Men's SuperLeague trophy for a second straight season
- ^ UL Eagle Matt Hall announces his retirement
- ^ FIVE TEAMS APPROVED TO PLAY IN 2017/18 MENS DIVISION ONE
- ^ FIXTURES ANNOUNCED FOR BASKETBALL IRELAND NATIONAL LEAGUE SEASON
- ^ UL Eagles basketball aim to soar back to top tier
- ^ To All our Friends and Supporters...
- ^ Mens Division One
- ^ SLIDESHOW: UL Sport Eagles win Limerick's Basketball derby
- ^ "Ahead of Limerick Sport eagles season opener..." facebook.com/LimericksportEagles. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ "2020/21 National League season halted with immediate effect". BasketballIreland.ie. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- ^ "2020/21 Mens National League season cancelled". BasketballIreland.ie. 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
- ^ "Basketball Ireland formally end 2020/21 season". BasketballIreland.ie. 3 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ InsureMyVan Division 1 – 2021/22 Fixtures
- ^ "Ulster University seal promotion to the InsureMyVan.ie Super League with 95-86 overtime win over Limerick Sport Eagles". ireland.basketball. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
- ^ Roll of Honour 1973 - 2014