A good night for the Eagles at the Basketball Ireland Awards. Niall McDermott was named Domino's Men's Division One Coach of the Year, Alex Carlisle took Player of the Year, and Darragh Horkan was named Young Player of the Year. Three of the division's individual prizes, all heading back to Limerick.
McDermott and Horkan were there to collect on the night, with McDermott also accepting Carlisle's award on his behalf. It is McDermott's second piece of silverware of the campaign, after he was named Coach of the Month for January.
“A brilliant recognition of all the hard work that's gone in this season,” the club said, “and all very well deserved.” Carlisle's Player of the Year follows his March Player of the Month, and he has led the scoring for most of the year. Horkan, a Limerick Lions lad in his second season with the senior side, has stepped up alongside him, he top-scored with 24 in the 107–74 win over Malahide, the night Carlisle chipped in 18.
The club has been clear all year that the individual honours sit on top of a team effort. When McDermott and Ryan Leonard picked up the January coach and player awards, the line was the same: they reflect “the collective effort, commitment, and culture being built every day.” This caps a season that has already brought the Cup and the League home to Limerick.