Dublin Raiders and Kilkenny Stars join Domino's Women's Division One ahead of 2025/26 season

The number of teams competing in Domino’s Women’s Division One will grow to 10 for the 2025/26 season, after the applications of Dublin Raiders and CluneTech Kilkenny Stars to join the second tier were approved by the National League Committee (NLC). 

It’ll be the first time that Dublin Raiders or CluneTech Kilkenny Stars feature at Basketball Ireland National League level - but the two teams are no strangers to one another – facing off once in the Basketball Ireland Development League (BIDL) during the regular season last year. Kilkenny Stars came out on top by four points, 61-57. 

Raiders were established in 1989 by former Super League star Ed Randolph, with more than 400 players registered with the club based in Coláiste Raithín in Bray, a venue strategically located between the club’s member base in North Wicklow and South Dublin. 

The club expect a number of 'notable ex-Raiders players', in addition to some current and former players selected for Irish squads to return to the team for their debut Domino’s Women’s Division One campaign, with the search currently underway for a head coach as they look to build on the success which saw them win the Basketball Ireland Development League Plate at the National Basketball Arena in 2024.

“We’re absolutely delighted,” said club founder and Chairperson Ed Randolph. “It’s a historic moment for Raiders and a fantastic opportunity for our younger female players. With all our girls’ teams in Division 1 of the DLBB (Dublin League) next season, this National League team gives them something clear to aspire to. It’s a huge moment for the club and the wider basketball community in South Dublin and Wicklow.”

Ed Randolph coaching Dublin Raiders during their Basketball Ireland Development League Plate Final in 2024. 

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Former Ireland senior men’s assistant coach Lawrence “Puff” Summers has been appointed head coach for CluneTech Kilkenny Stars’ inaugural season.

The club is just 14-years-old, having been established in 2011, but enjoyed a very fruitful spell at underage level in recent seasons reaching three All-Ireland Club Championship (AICC’s) Finals, as well as an U18 Women’s National Cup Final and U20 Women’s National Cup Final. The 2024/25 season was their first in the Basketball Ireland Development League - finishing 4^th in their conference with a winning record.

Kilkenny Stars is home to several ex-Irish underage internationals Faye Scanlon, Ava Coogan, Aoibhin Dunphy and Elena Lauhoff, as well as current Irish underage internationals Faye McDonnell, Aimee O'Reilly and Caoimhe Timmons.

“From day one of me being a part of this wonderful club, our goal has been to aspire to more and to put ourselves on the national map as far as basketball is concerned,” said CluneTech Kilkenny Stars head coach Puff Summers. “It’s been a long process—a lot of long hours in the gym, a lot of learning and unlearning for both players and coaches. But to get to this level shows not only an unbelievable commitment to excellence by the players, but also by everyone in our club to join together and to push to give our ladies every opportunity to maximise themselves.” 

“We are over the moon about how we literally grew from the dirt, and now our next goal is to solidify ourselves as a team that can compete at the National League level. It’s an honour for me to help lead us to the next phase of development for our club. Whether it goes swimmingly smooth or disastrously bad, I’m all in, and I just want all of our players to rock with that kind of energy all year.” 

CluneTech Kilkenny Stars pictured ahead of the Basketball Ireland Development League (BIDL) season.

Club Chairperson Damien Brett added: “Our club has gone through an accelerated growth process over the past three seasons putting all of the building blocks in place from the academy up with the ultimate goal of competing nationally.  Through the hard work and dedication of our committee, coaches, parents and players, we have achieved our initial goal a year ahead of schedule with our acceptance into the Domino’s Women's Division One for next season. Our goal now is to compete and to ensure our long term participation in this league and we are ready for this new challenge now.  We are very excited for all of our club members to be able to enjoy National League basketball right here in Kilkenny where the game is currently thriving.”  

Oblate Dynamos informed the NLC of their decision to pull out of Domino’s Women’s Division One following the conclusion of the season.