Their campaign did not begin smoothly. While they opened with a commanding 62–17 win over Donegal Town, Saturday’s group stages tested their resolve. Defeats to a strong Kilkenny Stars side—who would go on to reach the A Division semi-finals—and a heartbreaking 35–34 loss to Limerick Sport Huskies left Sligo third in their group at the close of play on day one.
Faced with a knockout route, All-Stars responded in style. A rematch with Huskies in the quarter-final saw Lile Kelly lead from the front with 20 points, while Blaithin O’Meara added nine in a convincing 44–29 victory.
Momentum continued to build in the semi-final against Maree BC. Kelly and O’Meara again proved decisive, combining for 36 points, with O’Meara knocking down three crucial three-pointers to stretch the Maree defence at key moments. At the other end, Femi Osho, Abby Giblin and Melissa Feerick dominated the boards and brought relentless defensive pressure, stifling Maree’s attack as Sligo powered through by 12 points to secure their place in the decider against Brunell BC.
The Cork side had impressed en route to the final, battling past Clare Comets and Portlaoise Panthers, with Saoirse O’Driscoll, Ava O’Mahony and Ellie Horgan central to their success. That trio once again accounted for 27 of Brunell’s 34 points in the final.
However, the decider belonged to Sligo All-Stars. Kelly, who finished as the tournament’s leading scorer, delivered another standout performance with 26 points, including three three-pointers, to seize control from the outset. She was well supported by Femi Osho, Abby Giblin and O’Meara, all of whom made key contributions as Sligo maintained their grip on the contest.
Beyond the headline performers, Sligo’s strength in depth proved vital across the weekend. Julianna Gormley, Sinéad Keely, Marie Murphy, Emily Boylan and Lucy Faul all played their part, bringing huge energy off the bench and making important contributions at key moments throughout the tournament.
Behind the scenes, the impact of coaches Elijah Faapito and Fergal Kelly, along with team manager Aisling Faul, was evident throughout the campaign. Their guidance, organisation and belief helped the group respond to early adversity and grow stronger with each game, culminating in a composed and confident final performance.
Displaying composure, defensive intensity, and a strong team ethic, Sligo powered to a deserved 48–34 victory.
The success also reflects a wider upward trend within the club. With the U14 girls recently reaching the A Division semi-final, and both the U14 and U16 boys teams still to compete in their respective All-Ireland Club Championships, the future of basketball in Sligo looks exceptionally bright, with Sligo All-Stars proudly flying the flag for the North West across all age groups.