Terry Kennedy is one of the most experienced coaaches in the Irish game having worked with some of the greats of the Irish game such as Sean, Anthony and Liam McHale, Paul McStay, Deora Marsh and Ronan McGarrity. Terry has won both the league and cup with Ballin and also worked extensively in youth coaching and helped bring Irish players to US camps in search of basketball scholarships. Terrys Merry Monk Ballina are currently locked in the northern conference playoff battle. Terry has kindly taken time out to talk to streetballireland.com about his memorys and the playoff race

Hi Terry First off thank you for taking time to talk to streetballireland.com.You had two big wins against Hoops and Star Last Week can you tell us about these games

Two wins against Hoops and Star came easier then I thought,specially when we played without our two starters Freeman and Mc Garitty. Hoops game our defense was very good,we cut down Bridges and there main man Reed who I think is one of the best players in the league. Against star we probably played our best basketball in 3 years,leading by 33 at one stage,again our defense was superb. Mc Hale and Marsh were outstanding in both games.

You have a tricky run in of games against Star, Marian and Killester are you confident of geting results in these games?

Yes we still have some tough games,Star and UCD away and Killester at home. Tough teams and tough games,I said all along that UCD would get some wins before end of the season. They have some very good Irish players and there americans work hard. Star away im not looking forward to that I know they are way better than last Sundays game,it will be lot different game in Belfast. Killester at home you dont get any tougher than that,they are very strong from 1-12.

The northern conference is very tightly contested at the moment with yourselves, Killester, Star , Hoops and St. Vincnets all batteling for playoff spots, who do you see the conference panning out?

Killester to win conf and any 2 of 4 to make play offs

Terry, can you tell us about your decision to bring Liam McHale back into the panel?

Anyone that watched the games last weekend would know why I coaxed Liam McHale back,he still is as good as any player in the league,when I knew Paul and Ronan would be missing for the run in I knew I needed a player to help us make the play offs.

Mc Hale 7 points,17 Reb,9 ass,3 steals and gave Ben Bridges such a tough time,Sun v Star 12pts,15 reb,10 ass,4 stls. Liam was playing with our B team and is in good shape,and people can say what they want he is the best Irish player ever to play in the superleague.

Ballins famoulsy has some of the best support in the league, how important a factor are the fans for your home games?

Out from Tralee and Demons we have huge support,basketball is a big game in Ballina,and people just love to come and cheer us on,they can be pretty loud at times,only thing is most teams love playing at our venue.

Is it difficult operating s superleague programme in a small town where you dont nessecarily have a large pool of player to choose from?

Its very tough tryin to keep a team together in a small town,most young players always have to go to college in Dublin Galway etc. We have panel of 11 this year,but hope to add to it for next season,and strengthen it up.

With Deora Marsh and Liam McHale still going strong well into their 40's I have to ask is there something in the water/Guinness in Ballina?

Deora 47 Liam 41 they keep in good shape,with Deora I think its the mix of Budweiser and Major that keeps him going,came over here in 1981 he was eleven stone has put on 2 lbs since.

Mc Hale is always working out, so strong and smart,not as fast as he used to be,hes wife Sinead keeps him young.

What are your plans for Ballina's programme next year?

We are already talking to a number of players for next year,Irish american and bosmans. Its tough to get the right mix,this season we used a agent,but I hope to sign my own players for next season.

Are there any young or up and coming players from Sligo / Mayo we should watch out for?

Up and coming young players,I think Dara Mc Garitty can be good,Deoras son Lamar has potential and Brian O Malley brother who was schools cup MVP this year,specially if he gets Brians speedy pace.

Can you tell us about your involvement in Camps in the Us and your youth teams you have brought ot the US?

I take teams over to the states most summers,to New York,New Jersey and Vermont areas. Had a Mayo boys under 19 team over in 2003 and 2004,played in a 64 team high school tournament in New Jersey finishing 5th. Last year I took my wife Trinies team over (also a coach but does lot more coaching than me)won 3 lost 3. I keep in touch with most of our former players who help host our teams,Jim Bolger who played at same college as Robert Taylor Rider Univ is really good when we need some hosting done. I also work camps at Rider,Rutgers,Gonzaga as I still have many friend at these colleges.

Whats steps would you like to see taken to imporve the standard of the Superleague?

What would improve the superleague,I think we need to make it into one league again,playing home and away. Also for Basketball Ireland to give more financial help to clubs,its tough to keep a team on the road for 6 months.

Whats your fondest basketball memory from your time as a coach?

My best basketball memory has to be, win we won our first national title in Neptune stadium in 1991 after a 17 year wait.We beat Neptune in the final,who we lost to in 1990 when we had to play without Liam Mc Hale who had a broken ankle. The reception we got all the way back from Cork was unreal.

Who do you rate as the best Irish players in the league

I think there are some great Irish plaers in the league namely Killester-Damien Sealy very smart hard nosed player, Westbrooks solid player & Paddy Kelly.

UCD -Foley is a very solid player,as is the guard Meaney.

Hoops-O Boyle very good shooter.

Vincents-Donnelly brothers all 3,Joey Mc Guirk.

Star-Summersgill(shold be let play as a Irish player),he is a terrific player can do it all,Dawson hes quick.

Demons-Niall Murphy has really improved,great work rate

Neptune-Kieran O Brien best big man in the league

Limerick-Rob Lynch smart player works hard.

Tralee- Quirke tough cookie,slower version of Mc Hale,Donnaghy if playing most of the season

Killarney-Ger Noonan when on hes game.

Monk-Freeman one of the most under rated players in the league,Mc Garitty top 3 Irish players.Stiil have to say Mc Hale still can mix it with the best. These would make good Irish team if you threw in few yanks.

Who are the people you get on with in the superleague ?

Best friend in SL is Brid Saunders from Hoops,we do have the odd argument but,she does alot of work for that club,would probablly not exist only for her. Mark Keenan from Killester we keep in touch during the season giving each other scouting reports when needed,Mark is a real gentleman. Shaq from Killarney lets me know the story in the southern conference and the players to look out for. Joey Boylan always good guy to have a chat with. Actully all the coaches in the league are good guys,all tryin to win the league.

Terry, Thanks again for taking time to talk to streetballireland.com and I want to wish you the best of luck in your upcoming games.