Monaghan All-Star nominee Stephen O'Hanlon is playing basketball again, with Carrickmacross club Carrick Cruisers in the National League Division 1. The Carrickmacross Emmets forward joined the Cruisers' National League squad at the start of October, ahead of their opening game against Ulster University at the Phoenix Centre, Carrickmacross, on Saturday 3 October, the Anglo-Celt and Balls.ie reported.
The club said O'Hanlon had last "picked up a basketball when on scholarship in the US" and that, "Eight years on, he is available for selection to Coach Ingle's squad." It described him as "a former Cruiser, underage Irish international and current inter-county GAA All-Star nominee" who "brings an elite mentality and level of professionalism to the squad."
His basketball background
According to Balls.ie, O'Hanlon represented Ireland at U16, U18 and U20 level and moved to America at 16 for a basketball scholarship at Trinity-Pawling in New York. The Anglo-Celt said he played as a point guard, and that he has made more than 70 appearances for Monaghan's senior footballers since 2019. His brother Kevin, who also played for Ireland at underage level, helped set up the Cruisers' men's team in the 2023/24 season and is still heavily involved with the club.
The move came after Carrickmacross Emmets' senior championship campaign ended with a narrow quarter-final defeat to Truagh, the Anglo-Celt said. Balls.ie noted that the club's announcement did not say anything about his inter-county plans for 2027 or suggest he was stepping away from football. O'Hanlon is one of Monaghan's three nominees for the 2026 PwC All-Stars (our All-Star story), and new manager John McEntee takes charge of the county side for 2027 (our report).
Who else is in the Cruisers squad
The Anglo-Celt's season preview listed a mix of familiar faces and new players:
- Returning: Latvian-born Martins Provizors, who has played for Carrick since before the pandemic, now joined by his son Kevin stepping up to senior level; Monaghan Town's Killian McAdam and Andrew O'Connor from the 2023/24 Intermediate Cup-winning side; and American Braxton Benham, a former Division 3 All-American.
- From Castleblayney: Theo McMahon and Angelo Bumatay, who still play locally for Muckno Lakers but, as U20 players, can also play for a National League team.
- New signings: Santiago Manero from Spain, Kieran Farrell and Abi Adedo from the UK, and Andy McGeever, who has played in the Super League with Killester and moved to Carrickmacross for work.
Home games are at the Phoenix Centre in Carrickmacross. For the opener the club said tickets were available through ClubZap or at the door.
