UL Eagles

Limerick Sport Eagles is an Irish basketball team based in Limerick. The team competes in the National League and plays its home games at the University of Limerick's Sport Arena and the Limerick Institute of Technology's Sport Hub.

Limerick Sport Eagles
HistoryBurger King Limerick
1999–2004
Limerick Lions
2004–2009
UL Eagles
2009–2017
UL Sport Eagles
2018–2019
Limerick Sport Eagles
2019–present
ArenaUL Sport Arena
LIT Sport Hub
LocationLimerick, Ireland
Team colorsBlue & White
PresidentTrevor Moore
Head coachMatt Hall
Championships2 (2012, 2013)

History

Early years

Prior to the late 1990s, Limerick's presence in the Irish National League was represented by Marathon Basketball Club.[1] In 1999, Marathon's National League team became known as Burger King Limerick.[2]

In 2002, Burger King Limerick celebrated their first-ever Irish Cup title after defeating Star of the Sea in the final.[3][4][5] A year earlier, American Cleotis Brown was named Basketball Ireland Foreign Player of the Year.[6][7]

In 2004, Marathon Basketball Club was renamed Limerick Lions Basketball Club, and thus, Burger King Limerick became Limerick Lions.[8]

UL Eagles

In 2009, Limerick Lions Basketball Club parted ways with the National League team. As a result, the University of Limerick absorbed the team and rebranded it as UL Eagles.[9]

In February 2012, UL Eagles won their first National Cup title since 2002 after defeating UCC Demons in the final.[10][11] Eagles went on to win a historic National League title in March 2012,[12] and backed that up in 2013 by defending their title.[13] In February 2015, long-time servant of the team, Welshman Matt Hall, announced his retirement after 15 years of playing in Limerick.[14]

After finishing last in the Super League table in 2016/17, UL Eagles were demoted to the Basketball Ireland Men's Division One National League for the 2017/18 season.[15][16][17] However, in September 2017, the team withdrew from the National League entirely.[18] The team returned as the UL Sport Eagles in the National League Division One in the 2018/19 season.[19]

Achievements
  • 2× Irish National League champions: 2012, 2013[20]
  • 2× Irish National Cup champions: 2002, 2012

References
  1. Postgame Interview - Marathon Basketball Club - Ireland 1996
  2. The New Improved Marathon Basketball Site
  3. Limerick win Senior Mens' Basketball Cup
  4. Early lead gives Limerick edge
  5. ESB Irish Cup 2002: Limerick twist past Star
  6. Limerick Lions TV - History: National Cup Champions 2002
  7. Vincent's out to make amends
  8. Tigers tops but Lions are on a roll
  9. THE UL EAGLES GET SET TO SOAR!
  10. Double success for Limerick basketball
  11. UL Basketball Teams are victorious at Superleague National Cup
  12. Double double for UL Basketball
  13. UL Eagles lifted the Nivea For Men's SuperLeague trophy for a second straight season
  14. UL Eagle Matt Hall announces his retirement
  15. FIVE TEAMS APPROVED TO PLAY IN 2017/18 MENS DIVISION ONE
  16. FIXTURES ANNOUNCED FOR BASKETBALL IRELAND NATIONAL LEAGUE SEASON
  17. UL Eagles basketball aim to soar back to top tier
  18. To All our Friends and Supporters...
  19. Mens Division One
  20. Roll of Honour 1973 - 2014
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