Basketball European Qualifier/ Ireland 80 Denmark 66: They say the good times are past in Irish soccer and rugby. The GAA will remain ever constant during the summer, but basketball now has the potential to become the nation's emerging sport for the 21st century.
A repeat of Saturday's performance in next week's away leg in Aarhus will see Ireland graduate to the top 16 in Europe.
This was supposed to be the end of a brave run. How could Ireland survive without top player Pat Burke? How could Marty Conlon, a 37-year-old veteran of the NBA, be expected to carry the weight of expectation on such well-worn shoulders?
The answers proved straightforward as Conlon defied his age and got plenty of help from his friends. Everyone stepped up.
In the absence of Burke, who might still be released by the Phoenix Suns for next Saturday, inspiration was sought from Cal Bowdler and Jim Moran, and they delivered slam dunk and three-point cameos to lift the crowd.
And yet, the Most Valuable Player award was an unanimous decision. Ireland struggled every time head coach Gerry Fitzpatrick rested point guard Michael Bree. He finished with 14 points, but it was his livewire performance around the court that made up for the lack of physical presence under the rim. A devious pickpocket here, a counter-attacking pass there, made all the difference.
"We all relish the opportunity to play on this type of stage and any chance we get we've got to take it," said Mayo man Bree, who has a hint of an American accent from his days at Davidson College. "We took our opportunity, and we now have to go to Denmark and finish the job.
"Anything above 10 (points) is great, but we had them at 20 and it would have been better to go to Denmark with that margin. It would have been more comfortable (with) less pressure for ourselves. Fourteen is good but it could have been better."
It should have been much better. Ireland allowed the Danes to pick off a multitude of soft baskets from rebounds. Granted, Chris Chrisoffersen is 7ft 3in, but Conlon broke even in this personal dual so this was not an excuse.
Burke's huge frame would have made the difference here.
Moran picked up three fouls in the first quarter, allowing Conor Grace into the action earlier than expected. And, like debutant Danny Mills, he more than held his own.
Jay Larranaga had an uncharacteristically quiet evening but still finished with 13 points.
The second game takes place at 3pm Irish time and will be televised on RTÉ at 5pm.
Top scorers - Ireland: M Bree 14, M Conlon 14, J Larranga 13, C Bowdler 12. Denmark: M Thuesen 15, J Jensen 14, P Johansen 14.
