This Tralee Imperials U18 team is an important part of our clubs story, and Rick Leonard, will tell you  he's  “a basketball person” rather than a Magic or St Brendan’s person, was an important part of the story.  

Rick coached this group alongside John Dowling and Jimmy Diggins, during a season when the Imperials boys were starting to make their mark on the National Cup.

This photo was taken in Dublin on November 7th, 2015. The boys were taking in Killester v Swords — but they had already taken care of their own business that day.

Tralee Imperials 70
Ongar Chasers 40

That 30-point win earned Imperials a place in the Hula Hoop U18 National Cup quarter-final for the first time in club history.

There are plenty of familiar basketball names in this group too. Rick’s son Ryan Leonard, now an Irish international and Limerick Eagles player; and former Irish international Philip Corkery were all part of that Imperials team. As were, Tristan Raymond, Robbie Dinan, Michael Linan, Kerian Mangan, Darragh O'Connor, Darra Devine, Declan Crowe, Conor O'Rehiley.

Different jerseys and different basketball paths have followed in the eleven years since. But this one belongs to Tralee Imperials, November 2015 — and a boys team making club history. 💙

#ThrowbackThursday #ThisClubIsMagic #TheseBoysAreMagic #25YearsOfMagic