Dynamos shake it up for new campaign
By Stephen Leaonrd
WITH the new basketball season fast approaching, Oblate Dynamos’ National League Division One Women’s team has shaken things up big time.
After having led the Drimnagh side to National League and Cup titles over the past four seasons, head coach Terry Staunton has opted to step aside to coach the club’s Under 12 and Under 16 girls.
Stepping into the breach is former Killester Super-league team player Conor Gordon, who, having coached boys, schools and international underage sides, will be taking the reins of a womens team for the first time.
He will be ably assisted by manager Theresa Whelan and assistant coach Suzanne Maguire – one of Ireland’s best-ever women’s players.
“I am delighted the Oblates committee gave me the opportunity to coach at this level” Gordon told The Echo.
“It’s a club with a long history in the National Leagues and a fantastic underage structure. I feel we have got a great squad in place and I am lucky to have an excellent staff with Sue and Theresa.
“The pieces are there to be in the reckoning for some silverware if we put in the work,” he insisted.
While he has lost the services of the hugely influential and experienced Georgina McKenna and Selina McMahon, Gordon has introduced a number of new faces to the set-up.
Jen Sheehan and Jen Doyle, both strong tena-cious guards, and Sarah Byrne, a post player, are stepping up from the club’s Senior One side.
Among the new players to the Dynamos is Lisa Kinane, a 6’5” Centre who made the move with Gordon from Killester.
She is a young player making her National League debut and will be a force under the boards.
Emily Black, sister of Oblate player Katie Black, is a 19-year-old point guard transferring from DCU Mercy’s Superleague team while another new addition is Kelsey Ellis- a superb shooting guard from Furman University.
Finally 6’0” Power Forward Meagan Hoffman is another valuable addition to Gordon’s pack.
Originally from Adam State, Denver, the Color-ado native was one of the final cuts on the GB 2012 Olympic team.
She played last season with Liffey Celtics in the Premier League and, like Ellis, can provide great leadership qualities for the, now, very young team.
The team will kick off their National League campaign with a match against Ulster on the first weekend of October.
On another note, Oblate Dynamos Under 16 power forward Ciara White has survived another cut of the extended Ireland Under 15 squad which is being whittled down ahead of next year’s European Championships.
