National Basketball Leagues
This is the Eirball Index Page to the All-Time Results and Standings of the Basketball Ireland National Leagues. First founded in 1973-74 after 27 years of the Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland All-Ireland Club and County Championshps, the National Basketball Leagues have two tiers in both Men’s and Women’s Basketball.
Header Picture Credit: [1] Folan, John | Irish Basketball Memories of the 80s And 90s Facebook Group (2020) Post to Page, January 27, 2020″Fantastic team loved going to see them play” [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/84031072_1023908997993251_8391839803976450048_n.jpg?nc_cat=104&_nc_sid=ca434c&_nc_ohc=eZjapq8zlu4AX9QUva&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=03447b305a695c8d4a572078f382a059&oe=5E9F44CB [Accessed 25 March 2020][Adjusted]
NBL Men’s Super League
BBI Men’s Super League 2003-Present; IBA Men’s Super League 1993-2003; IBBA Men’s Division 1 1979-1993; ABAI Men’s Division 1 1973-1979
The Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland was formed in 1947. After 25 years of All-Ireland Championships based on a Club & County basis like in the GAA, the ABAI created the first National Basketball League based on clubs in 1972-73.
In 1979-80 St. Vincent’s Killarney brought in two paid American Imports, contrary to the rules of the ABAI, but after taking no action against them for most of the season, they relented having seen how many fans it was bringing in, and allowed paid imports, changing the name of the Association to the Irish Basketball Association to reflect this. This era, from 1980-1991 is regarded by many in Irish Basketball as its “Golden Era”.
National Basketball League Men’s Level 1 Standings
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland | National League | Division 1 1975-1979
Irish Basketball Association National Basketball League Men’s Division 1 1979-1991
Irish Basketball Association Budweiser Men’s National League 1991-1993
Irish Basketball Association | Men’s Super League 1993-2003
Basketball Ireland | National League | Men’s Super League 2003-2013
Basketball Ireland | National League | Men’s Premier League 2013-2016
Basketball Ireland | National League | Men’s Super League 2016-2019
National Basketball League Men’s Level 1 Results
BI NL Men’s Super League 2016-2020:
2020-21 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17
BI NL Men’s Premier League 2013-2016:
IBA NL Men’s Super League (Seasons):
1997-98 1996-97 1995-96 1994-95 1993-94
IBA Men’s Budweiser NBL (Seasons): 1992-93 1991-92
IBA NBL Men’s Division 1 1979-1991 (Seasons): 1990-91
Picture Credit: Irish Basketball Association – Men’s Super League Final 1994 Official Match Programme / Magazine-Photo Credit: Enda Mulcahy – Author’s Personal Collection
NBL Women’s Super League
BBI Women’s Super League 2003-Present; IBA Women’s Super League 1997-2003; IBBA Women’s Division 1 1979-1997
The first Ladies National Basketball League was also formed around this time in the late-1970s. After a few seasons both Men’s and Ladies added a second division. In 1991, the Ladies League also got a slight name-change to the Women’s National Basketball League and in 1997 Divisions 1 & 2 were merged into one Super League. Below the Super League was a Women’s Regional League, playing 2-3 games a weekend for each team in the one venue.
National Basketball League Women’s Level 1 Standings
Irish Basketball Association Ladies National Basketball League 1979-1991
Irish Basketball Association | Women’s National League Division 1 1991-1997
Irish Basketball Association | Women’s Super League 1997-2003
Basketball Ireland | National League | Women’s Super League 2003-2013
Basketball Ireland | National League | Women’s Premier League 2013-2016
Basketball Ireland | National League | Women’s Super League 2016-2019
National Basketball League Women’s Level 1 Results
BBI NL Women’s Super League 2016-present:
2020-21 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17
BI NL Women’s Premier League 2013-2016 (Seasons): 2015-16
IBA NBL Women’s Division 1 1991-1997 (Seasons): 1991-92
IBA NBL Ladies Division 1 1979-1991 (Seasons): 1990-91
Picture Credit: Ross Mahon / Shutterstock (2021) TALLAGHT, IRELAND – MARCH 01, 2021: An aerial view of the National Basketball Arena in Tymon Park. [Accessed 4 May 2021]
NBL Men’s Division 1
BBI Men’s Division 1 2003-Present; IBA Men’s Division 1 1993-2003; IBBA Men’s Division 2 1979-1991; ABAI Men’s Division 1977-1979
In 1991 the Association merged the Men’s Divisions 1 & 2 into one National Basketball League, with two conferences: North & South. at the same time it reduced the number of paid American Imports from two to one, thinking the Irish playerscould make the step up. The fans lost interest, however, with just one American on the teams, and it is regarded as the end of the “Golden Era”. After two seasons under this format, the two division set-up was reinstated, with Divisions 1 & 2 now named the Super League & Division 1.
The Irish Basketball Association was rebranded in 2003 as Basketball Ireland, and the two Conference (North & South) model was again reintroduced, although the two Division (2 levels) set-up was retained. The Women’s 2nd Level was reinstated at this time also, although the Women’s Divisions never had North & South Conferences.
In 2013 the Super League underwent a name-change to the Premier League, as a drastic attempt was made to fix the National Leagues and the massive debt Basketball Ireland had built up. In 2016 the Super League brand made a comeback and by 2019 it was stated on the Basketball Ireland website that the €1.4 Million debt was paid off.
National Basketball League Men’s Level 2 Standings
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland | National League | Division 2 1977-1979
Irish Basketball Association | National Basketball League | Men’s Division 2 1979-1991
Irish Basketball Association | National Basketball League | Men’s Division 1 1993-2003
Basketball Ireland | National League | Men’s Division 1 2003-2013
Basketball Ireland | National League | Men’s Division 1 2013-2019
National Basketball League Men’s Level 2 Results
BBI NL Men’s Division 1 2013-2020:
2020-21 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16
Picture Credit: Irish Basketball Association Budweiser Basketball League Final Ticket – National Basketball Arena – 26th March 1994 [Photo Credit: Enda Mulcahy – Author’s Personal Collection
BBI Women’s Division 1
BBI Women’s Division 1 2003-Present; IBA Women’s Regional League 1997-2003; IBBA Women’s Division 2 1991-1997; IBBA Ladies Division 2 1982-1991
The Irish Basketball Association was rebranded in 2003 as Basketball Ireland, and the two Conference (North & South) model was again reintroduced, although the two Division (2 levels) set-up was retained. The Women’s 2nd Level was reinstated at this time also, although the Women’s Divisions never had North & South Conferences.
In 2013 the Super League underwent a name-change to the Premier League, as a drastic attempt was made to fix the National Leagues and the massive debt Basketball Ireland had built up. In 2016 the Super League brand made a comeback and by 2019 it was stated on the Basketball Ireland website that the €1.4 Million debt was paid off.
National Basketball League Women’s Level 2 Standings
Irish Basketball Association | National Basketball League | Ladies Division 2 1982-1991
Irish Basketball Association | National League | Women’s Division 2 1991-1997
Basketball Ireland | National League | Women’s Division 1 2003-2013
Basketball Ireland | National League | Women’s Division 1 2013-2019
National Basketball League Women’s Level 2 Results
BBI NL Women’s Division 1 2013-2020:
2020-21 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 2016-17 2015-16
IBA NBL Women’s Division 2 1991-1997 (Seasons): 1991-92
IBBA NBL Ladies Division 2 1979-1991 (Seasons): 1990-91
Picture Credit: [5] Redmond, Lori | Irish Basketball Memories of the 80s And 90s Facebook Group (2017) Post to Page, September 2, 2017″Name that team????” [Internet] Available from: https://scontent-dub4-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/21272658_10210427986757563_2828079694275115227_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_sid=ca434c&_nc_ohc=H_qlMF5ei1IAX-dolDy&_nc_ht=scontent-dub4-1.xx&oh=7e331ba89f923629569b8307d86430d0&oe=5E9FF849 [Accessed 25 March 2020]
Basketball National Cups
Men’s Level 1 National Cup
IBBA Men’s Senior Cup 1984-1994; IBA Men’s Senior National Cup 1994-2005; BBI Men’s Super League Cup 2005-2013; BBI Men’s National Cup 2013-2017; BBI Men’s Pat Duffy National Cup 2017-2019
Basketball Ireland | Men’s Pat Duffy National Cup (Level 1) 2017-2019
Basketball Ireland | Men’s National Cup 2013-2017
Basketball Ireland | Men’s Super League Cup 2005-2013
Irish Basketball Association | Men’s Senior National Cup 1994-2005
Irish Basketball Association | Men’s Senior Cup Finals 1984-1994
BI Men’s Pat Duffy National Cup (Super League Cup)
BI Men’s National Cup (Super League Cup) 2014-15
IBA Men’s Sprite National Cup : 1998-99 1997-98
Picture Credit: Basketball Ireland Magazine Sprite Cup Special Programme 2000 [Photo Credit: Enda Mulcahy – Author’s Personal Collection
Women’s Level 1 National Cup
IBBA Women’s Senior Cup 1984-1994; IBA Women’s Senior National Cup 1994-2005; BBI Women’s Super League Cup 2005-2013; BBI Women’s National Cup 2013-2018.
Basketball Ireland | Women’s National Cup 2013-2018
Basketball Ireland | Women’s Super League Cup 2005-2013
Irish Basketball Association | Women’s Senior National Cup 1994-2005
Irish Basketball Association | Women’s Senior Cup 1984-1994
BI Women’s Paudie O’Connor National Cup (Super League Cup)
BI Women’s National Cup (Super League Cup) 2014-15
IBA Women’s National Sprite Cup: 1998-99 1997-98
Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos
Men’s Level 2 National Cup
BI Men’s Senior National Cup 2005-2013; BI Men’s President’s National Cup 2013-2019
Basketball Ireland | Men’s President’s National Cup (Level 2) 2013-2019
Basketball Ireland | Men’s Senior National Cup (Tier 2) 2005-2013
BI Men’s President’s (Senior) Cup (Division 1 Cup) 2017-18
Photo Credit: Basketball Ireland Magazine Sprite Cup Special Programme 1999 [Photo Credit: Enda Mulcahy – Author’s Personal Collection]
Women’s Level 2 National Cup
BBI Women’s Senior Cup 2005-2013; BBI Women’s senior National Cup 2013-2019.
Basketball Ireland | Women’s Senior National Cup (Level 2) 2013-2019
Basketball Ireland | Women’s Senior Cup (Tier 2) 2005-2013
BI Women’s Senior Cup (Division 1 Cup) 2017-18
Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos
Men’s Level 3 Intermediate National Cup
BBI Men’s NICC 2015-2019.
Basketball Ireland | Men’s National Intermediate Cup Competition (Level 3) 2015-2019
BI Men’s National Intermediate Cup Competition (Area Boards): 2017-18
Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos
Women’s Level 3 Intermediate National Cup
BBI Women’s NICC 2015-2019
Basketball Ireland | Women’s National Intermediate Cup Competition (Level 3) 2015-2019
BI Women’s National Intermediate Cup Competition (Area Boards): 2017-18
Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos
Men’s Junior (Underage) National Cups
BBI Men’s U20 National Cup 2007-2018; IBA Men’s Junior U19 National Cup 1984-2006.
Irish Basketball Association | Men’s Junior U19 National Cup 1984-2006
Basketball Ireland | Men’s Under 20 National Cup 2007-2018
IBA Sprite U19 Junior National Cup (Seasons):
Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos
Women’s Junior (Underage) National Cups
IBA Women’s Junior U19 National Cup 1984-2006; BBI Women’s U20 National Cup 2007-2018.
Irish Basketball Association | Women’s Junior U19 National Cup 1984-2006
Basketball Ireland | Women’s Under 20 National Cup 2007-2018
IBA Sprite U19 Junior Women’s National Cup (Seasons):
Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos
Men’s Junior (Underage) Level 2 National Cups
IBA Men’s Junior B National Cup 1989-1997; BBI Men’s U18 National Cup 2007-2018.
Irish Basketball Association | Men’s Junior B (Under 19) National Cup 1989-1997
Basketball Ireland | Men’s Under 18 National Cup 2007-2018
IBA Men’s Junior Regional Cup (Seasons): 1997-98
Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos
Women’s Junior (Underage) Level 2 National Cups
IBA Women’s Junior B National Cup 1989-1997; BBI Women’s U18 National Cup 2007-2018.
Irish Basketball Association | Women’s Junior B (Under 19) National Cup 1989-1997
Basketball Ireland | Women’s Under 18 National Cup 2007-2018
IBA Women’s Junior Regional Cup (Seasons):
Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland 1947-1979
The Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland (now Basketball Ireland) was the organisation in charge of running Basketball in Ireland from 1947 to 1979 when it changed its name to the Irish Basketball Association. From 1953 to 1973 it was organised on a Club and County basis like the Gaelic Athletic Association.
The All-Ireland Blitz from 1953 to 1964 was the Club Championship, held on a Blitz basis over the course of a weekend in one venue. It was replaced by the National Basketball Cup, in which the top 16 teams from the four provinces played in four groups of four over the course of a year with semi-finals and final. In 1973 a National League based on clubs replaced the All-Ireland County Championships and National Basketball Cup.
ABAI County Championships 1952-1973
ABAI Senior County Championships; ABAI Junior County Championships; ABAI Minor County Championships;
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland County Championships (Overviews):
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland All-Ireland Senior County Championships 1952-1973
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland | All-Ireland Junior County Championships 1959-1972
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland Minor (Overviews):
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland All-Ireland Minor County Championship 1953-1974
ABAI All-Ireland Senior County Championships (Seasons):
Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos
ABAI Club Championships 1950-1978
ABAI All Ireland Senior Blitz 1950-1964; ABAI Ladies All-Ireland Blitz 1968-1978; ABAI National Basketbal Cup 1970-1973.
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland Club (Overviews):
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland All Ireland Senior Blitz 1950-1964
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland Ladies (Overviews):
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland Ladies All-Ireland Championship 1968-1978
ABAI National Basketball Cup (Seasons):
ABAI All-Ireland Blitz (Seasons):
Picture Credit: Pexels Free Photos
ABAI Provincial Championships 1951-1973
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Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland Provincial Championships (Overviews):
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland Connacht Senior Championship 1952-1973
Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland Leinster Senior Championship 1951-1973
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Basketball Teams
Irish Basketball Teams
Ireland National & Representative Teams; Men’s National Basketball League Teams
All-Time Record [ Season Results & Roster ]
Ireland 1 Women’s Basketball Teams Special Olympics (Editions): [ Los Angeles 2015 ]
Hibernia EuroBasket Men’s NBL Representative Team [ 2015-16 ]
St. Vincent’s Killarney 1979-1987
Galway Democrats [ 1991-92 ]
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Basketball Players
Irish Basketball Players
BBI All-Star Teams
Basketball Ireland | All-Star Teams (Seasons):
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