IT was a great season for Brunell Basketball Club, as their 40th anniversary culminated in the northsiders winning the Paudie O’Connor National Cup for the first time.
They also won National Club of the Year lately and for their present treasurer Jason Thornton collecting a Cork Indoor Sports Award completed a memorable campaign.
The Thornton family are one of many that keep the northside club operating and Jason was delighted to see them recognised at the National level.
“I started with the club when my sister Edel got involved but my mam and dad were already involved in the fundraising department and I was called to their AGM in 2008 to help them set up a website,” he said.
Over the years he has become a key figure for Brunell working as secretary and in various other roles. He feels the club is lucky to have such a dedicated team of people.
“Financially we have always separated the Super League team from the rest of the club as they needed to be a separate entity and looking back Ann Foley and Trish Dineen did ferocious work getting money into our club,” he added.
The present people involved in the club continue to fundraise as it takes a lot of finance to keep them afloat and in the words of Thornton, volunteers are always available to help.
Losing founder member Andrew Drumm last year was a bitter pill to swallow for all concerned but Jason is happy that they will continue in the manner he would have wanted.
“We try and keep the show on the road in the fashion that Andrew would have liked as the U10 team to him was as important as our Super League side so we never forget his vision for the club.”
Winning the Paudie O’Connor National Cup back in January brought floods of tears at the National Basketball Arena as Thornton looked back on that memorable day.
“We had a black ribbon as a matter of respect on our jerseys and when the final buzzer sounded I think it was basically joy and relief that we had at last reached the Holy Grail.”
Brunell also reached the U18 and U20 National Cup finals but sadly lost both and Jason is quietly confident next season will be as successful.
At the end of last season after picking up the MVP at the cup final Edel Thornton picked up an ACL injury that saw the team crumble coming down the stretch in their Super League campaign but she is on the road to recovery.
“Edel had her operation and all is going well and although January was projected as a projected comeback month she is doing very well but for me personally I hope and know she will not be rushing back until she has gone through the full recuperation.
“On the Super League front, Rachel Lynch is heading to the States for College and we are presently in negotiations to sign our two professionals so it’s a case of waiting and getting them on the dotted line.”
On a final note, Thornton praised the various club sponsors whose generosity ensures they can compete at the top level.
“Many thanks to the Gurranabraher Credit Union whose chairman Michael O’Connell enjoyed a great first year journey with us and also to Tony and Catherine O’Connell of Direct Blinds and John Paul Twomey of Tiles ‘R’ Us for their contributions that’s very much appreciated.”