Basketball Ireland has confirmed an expanded National League structure for the 2026/27 season, with Tralee Warriors and Ongar Chasers entering Domino’s Women’s Division One for the first time and a new eight-team Men’s Division Two being introduced.
The additions will bring Domino’s Women’s Division One to 12 teams, while the newly created Men’s Division Two will feature Athlone BC, Ballina Braves, Cavan Eagles, Dublin Raiders, Fr. Mathews, Ongar Chasers, Team Northwest and Trinity BC.
The Men’s Division Two will be played in a straight league format, with the team finishing top earning promotion to Domino’s Men’s Division One.
Fixtures for the new National League season will be released in mid-July, with the campaign beginning across the weekend of October 2nd to 4th.
The expansion marks another step in the growth of the National League, with new clubs, returning clubs and established basketball names all forming part of the revised structure.
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 has also won All-Ireland Schools titles with Moyderwell and Mercy Mounthawk and has coached with Irish underage teams.
“We are delighted that our women’s team will step up to playing in Domino’s Women’s Division One in the coming season,” said Terry O’Brien, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors Club Chairperson.
“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 the National League level.”
Ongar Chasers will compete at the National League level for the first time, just 14 years after the Dublin club was formed in 2012.
The club will have teams in both Domino’s Women’s Division One and the new Men’s Division Two.
“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 the national level,” said Sladjan Kutijevac, Ongar Chasers Club Secretary.
“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.”
There will also be National League basketball back in Mayo, with Ballina Braves returning to the national stage.
The club has a strong history in the game, having won the MSL National Cup in 1990/91 and 1995/96, as well as the Men’s Super League title in 1991/92. The team will be coached by Paul Barrett.
“We are delighted to be back in the National League,” said Kevin McHale, Ballina Braves Chairperson.
“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 also join the new Men’s Division Two, with David Keogh appointed as head coach.
“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,” said Emma Fagan, Athlone BC Club Secretary.
“It’s a proud milestone for Athlone Basketball Club, and we are excited for the challenge ahead.”
Cavan Eagles, who entered Domino’s Women’s Division One in 2022/23 and have since established themselves in the Women’s Super League, will now field a men’s team at National League level for the first time.
Former Ulster University Head Coach Ryan McCormick will take charge of the team.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have been accepted into Men’s Division Two for the 2026/27 season,” said Graham Tolan, Cavan Eagles Chairperson.
“It’s a significant milestone for the club and the first time our men’s team will compete at the 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.”
Bray-based Dublin Raiders, who entered Domino’s Women’s Division One in 2025/26, will also add a men’s National League team for the first time.
“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,” said Ed Randolph, Dublin Raiders Founder and Chairperson.
“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 will return to National League basketball, having last competed in Men’s Division One in 2022/23. Luke O’Mahony will be the head coach.
“Having not competed at National League level for the past few seasons, we’re delighted to be back,” said O’Mahony.
“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.”
Trinity BC will enter the new competition as it prepares to celebrate the club’s 80th anniversary. Founded in 1946, the club will play its home games at Trinity Sports Centre.
“Trinity College Basketball Club is delighted to join Men’s Division Two for the 2026/27 season,” said Allesandro Biffi, Trinity BC Team Secretary.
“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 line-up, having been relegated from Domino’s Men’s Division One.
The creation of the new division adds another tier to the National League structure and creates a more visible pathway for clubs seeking to progress through the system, while the expansion of the women’s game to 12 teams reflects the continued growth of basketball participation and ambition across the country.
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Image Credit: Basketball Ireland
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