This past weekend I was able to experience my first Cup Weekend. We played the hosts to all levels of the National Cup Semi-Finals on both the men’s and women’s side. I am lucky enough to play with a club that has its own Stadium, and it was awesome to see our Neptune Stadium filled to the limits with Irish basketball fans all weekend. All of the Irish basketball world gathered at our Neptune Stadium in Cork for a packed weekend of games, and I am fortunate that my team was a part of it. After a hard fought win a few weeks ago against fellow scholars Jack and T John in the Cup Quarterfinals, we earned a spot in the Semifinal against a tough Kestrels team. We tipped off on Friday night, and were the first game of a long basketball weekend. After a back and forth game, we were able to pull out the victory and secure a spot in the Cup Final set for Dublin in three weeks. After the game, I was elated to look up into the stands and see some fellow scholars cheering me on. Seven other scholars had their own semifinals this weekend, and a few others even made the trip to support and be a part of the action. It was great to cheer on everyone competing in their games, and it was the first time I had seen most of the other scholars play. After most everyone’s games had wrapped up on Saturday night, we all got to spend the night out together exploring the town. There is nothing better than when we all get together, and even though we were missing some scholars who couldn’t make it, it was an incredible weekend. I was also lucky enough to meet some of the 2016 scholars who have returned to Ireland to continue playing with different teams. It was very cool to talk with them about their experiences and compare stories of our time in Ireland. Cup Weekend was an overall success and I can’t wait to make the trip to Dublin for the Cup Final.
