Sport

Dan James ready to lead by example on Templeogue’s big night

Inchicore side host their first ever game in the top flight of Irish basketball tomorrow night by welcoming cross-city Dublin rivals DCU Saints

Dan James (top right) at the Basketball Ireland season’s launch at the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, last month.
Fri Oct 04 2013 - 01:00

Templeogue, new entrants to Basketball Ireland’s Premier League, host their first ever game in the top flight of Irish basketball tomorrow night by welcoming cross-city Dublin rivals and 2013 Champions Trophy finalists DCU Saints to the famous Oblate Hall in Inchicore.

The atmosphere in the gym, once considered the home of Irish basketball, is sure to be electric as this young Templeogue side are finally tested following a long off-season of speculations and predictions.

While it is the club’s first experience of Premier League competition, some within the squad itself have already shone on the biggest stage, having plied their trade with rival clubs in years’ past.

One such returned hero is Dan James, formerly of UCD Marian. A winner of the last season’s February player of the month award, James is one of the outstanding talents in Irish basketball and his leadership will be key tomorrow.

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“It will be a case of having to lead by example as opposed to leading by talking too much,” said James. “There is a great team spirit in the squad so there shouldn’t be any problem with being up for the game.

“Players know their roles and are happy with what they need to do for us to succeed.

“We are still on a bit of a learning curve. We only have four players who have ever played at this level before, so we do have to prove we can play with these teams. It’s a huge game for the whole club, we are treating it as the final step for a club that has been mostly underage in its past.”

A sell-out crowd is expected but the game will be streamed live on Basketball Ireland's website from 6.45pm for all those who cannot make it to Inchicore.
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday: Men's Premier League: Templeogue v DCU Saints, Oblate Hall, 7pm ; UL Eagles v Moycullen, UL Sport Arena, 7.30pm ; Killester v Dublin Inter, IWA Clontarf, 8pm. Women's Premier League: DCU Mercy v UL Huskies, DCU Sports Complex, 4.30 ; Killester v Brunell, IWA Clontarf, 6pm.
Sunday: Men's Premier League: Belfast Star v Bord Gais Neptune, Methodist College, 3.30pm. Women's Premier League: Ulster Rockets v Meteors, Methodist College, 1pm ; DCU Mercy v Liffey Celtics, DCU Sports Centre, 2pm.