Club History - How it all began

The origins of the present club can be traced back to the 1967, when a small number of men from the Frenchpark area started playing basketball in St. Josephs Hall.  Eugene Harrington, the Callaghan’s and the Farrell’s were joined by locals Francie Geelan, Jimmy Dwyer and Eamon Perry to name a few.  Before each training session the “D.I.Y.” rings, backboards and supports had to be assembled and erected at either end of the dance floor.  At that time, no association existed within the county to organise and promote the game.  Some of the Boyle players joined Sligo All stars who were at that time coached by the late Tom O’Brien R.I.P.  He took the club to a number of all Ireland titles.  Tales are told by Boyle veterans, of matches played outdoors, at night time, in “artic” conditions on gravel surfaces, “railway goods store” complete with tarmacadem playing surface.

Around 1977 the Roscommon and District Area Board was formed.  Affliated clubs included Boyle, Roscommon, “Garda” – Roscommon, Athlone, Custome Barracks, Longford, Drumlish, Frenchpark, and Mohill.  The board regulated the game in its jurisdiction, organising league and championship competitions.  The Boyle club then know as “Eagles” won the area championship in 1977, 1978, and 1979.

They took the league title in 1978 and were runners up in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1984.  This period was probably the “golden era” of Boyle Basketball.  Player members of the time included Jimmy Dwyer, Joe and Michael Mulrennan, Terry and Geno Mattimoe, Gerry, Anthony and John O’Dowd, Oliver and Francis Keville, Donald Brennan, Donal O’Connor, Patsy Guckian, Brendan Gaffney, Joe Kennedy, Anthony Morris, Michael Quinn, Anthony Gallagher, Bernard Flaherty, Padraig Daly, John Tighe, Paddy McLoughlin and Joe Cox who played international at under 17 level and later played National League basketball with Portarlington.