Tralee Warriors and Ongar Chasers enter Domino’s Women’s Division One, new Men’s Division Two to be launched for 2026/27 season

Tralee Warriors and Ongar Chasers will enter into the Domino’s Women’s Division One for the first time in the 2026/27 season. There will be a new eight-team Men’s Division Two next season, featuring Athlone BC, Ballina Braves, Cavan Eagles, Dublin Raiders, Fr. Mathews, Ongar Chasers, Team Northwest and Trinity BC. 

The Men’s Division Two will run in a straight league format and the team who finishes top will be promoted to the Domino’s Men’s Division One. Fixtures for the new National League season will be released in mid-July, with the season starting from October 2nd-4th.  

Tralee Warriors will be coached by Tomás O’Hanlon, who led Tralee Magic to the 2024/25 Ken Clarke U20 Women’s National Cup. He’s also won All-Ireland Schools titles with Moyderwell and Mercy Mounthawk, as well as coaching with Irish underage teams. 

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors club chairperson, Terry O’Brien, welcomed the news, “We are delighted that our women’s team will step up to playing in Domino’s Women’s Division One in the coming season. After two seasons playing in the BIDL League, the team has developed and grown and is now ready to face the challenge of playing at National League level.” 

Dublin club Ongar Chasers will compete at National League level for the first time, having only been formed in 2012. Speaking of their entrance into Domino’s Women’s Division One and Men’s Division Two, club secretary Sladjan Kutijevac said: “Our women’s team comfortably won the Dublin Women’s Division One and the Top 4 last season, as well as the Women’s National Intermediate Cup Competition in 2024/25, so the only way to continue growth and improvement is to step up to national level. Our men’s team have been performing consistently well in the BIDL and U20 Men’s National League, so we’re looking forward to the challenge of competing in the newly-formed Men’s Division Two.” 

Ongar Chasers' team celebrate Basketball Ireland NICC Women's National Cup Final, National Basketball Arena, Dublin 17/1/2025.

There will be National League basketball once more in Mayo, Ballina Braves won the MSL National Cup in 1990/91 and 1995/96 and a Men’s Super League title in 1991/92. The team will be coached by Paul Barrett. Chairperson of the club, Kevin McHale, said: “We are delighted to be back in the National League. We have been scaling the club over the last couple of years, competing in the U20 National League and BIDL and we feel the time is now to get back to the National League. We are delighted to be accepted back in." 

Athlone BC will have David Keogh as their head coach when they enter Men’s Division Two. Speaking about their entry into the competition, club secretary Emma Fagan commented: “We are delighted after many years of developing our underage structure that the club is in a position to enter a team in the National League for the first time in over 40 years. It’s a proud milestone for Athlone Basketball Club and we are excited for the challenge ahead.” 

Cavan Eagles entered Domino’s Women’s Division One in 2022/23 and have gone on to establish themselves in the Domino’s Women’s Super League. The club, which was founded in 2012, will have a men’s team competing at national level for the first time, with former Ulster University head coach Ryan McCormick taking charge of the team. Cavan Eagles chairperson Graham Tolan said: “We're absolutely delighted to have been accepted into Men’s Division Two for the 2026/27 season. It's a significant milestone for the club and the first time our men's team will compete at National League level. It's a real testament to the hard work and commitment of our players, coaches and volunteers, and we're very much looking forward to representing Cavan on the national stage. We'd encourage everyone in the county to come out and get behind the team." 

Cavan Eagles' Ivors Zubrickas against Ballina Braves' Ronan McGarrity in Men's BIDL Plate Final, National Basketball Arena, Dublin 12/4/2025

Bray-based Dublin Raiders, who entered Domino’s Women’s Division One in 2025/26, will have a men’s team competing at National League level for the first time. Ed Randolph who formed the club and is now the chairperson said: "Having both men’s and women's National League teams is a big part of the club's strategic plan to develop a pathway for our players to remain with the club and play at the highest levels possible. Dublin Raiders is delighted to be the only club in the South County Dublin and North Wicklow region currently offering both men's and women's National League basketball."  

Fr. Mathews, who last competed in Men’s Division One in 2022/23, return with Luke O’Mahony as head coach. O’Mahony stated: “Having not competed at National League level for the past few seasons, we’re delighted to be back. It is a big milestone for the club and the result of a huge amount of hard work from our players, committee members and volunteers. We’re excited about the challenge ahead and look forward to representing the club in the Men’s National League once again.” 

Dublin Raiders celebrate Men's BIDL Plate win, National Basketball Arena, Dublin, 12/4/24

Trinity BC, which was founded in 1946, are looking forward to competing in the new competition, as they celebrate the club’s 80th anniversary. Team secretary Alessandro Biffi said: “Trinity College Basketball Club is delighted to join Men's Division Two for the 2026/27 season. After years of hard work, planning and preparation, this is a significant milestone for our club and a fitting way to mark our 80th anniversary. We would like to thank the countless volunteers, players, coaches, committee members and supporters whose efforts have made this possible. We are excited for the challenge ahead and look forward to welcoming teams and supporters to a packed Trinity Sports Centre as we begin this exciting new chapter for Trinity Basketball.” 

Team Northwest complete the eight-team league, having been relegated from Domino’s Men’s Division One.