Colin O'Reilly (born 30 January 1984) is an Irish basketball coach and former player. He played Division III college basketball for Post University in the United States in the early 2000sO'Reilly still living dream and later represented the Irish national team as both a player and as a player-coach.
Early life O'Reilly was born in Cork, Ireland.
Professional career On 26 March 2015, O'Reilly was named an inaugural Premier League All-Star First Pick alongside UCC Demons teammates Kyle Hosford and Lehmon Colbert. Three days later, he helped Demons create Irish basketball history by winning the Champions Trophy and adding to their undefeated 2014–15 season. With a 24–0 record, the team also won the League and National Cup titles. In addition, O'Reilly earned Champions Trophy MVP honours after scoring 25 points in the final. He was later named both Player of the Year and Coach of the Year for the 2014–15 season.Basketball Ireland awards for Colin O'Reilly and Niamh DwyerNATIONAL AWARDS – SEASON 2014/15 In 2015–16, he helped Demons reclaim both the Premier League title and the Champions Trophy.
On 22 June 2016, O'Reilly was appointed head coach of the Cheshire Phoenix for the 2016–17 British Basketball League season.Cheshire Phoenix Appoint New Head CoachCheshire Phoenix appoint Colin O'Reilly as head coach However, after a poor start to the season, he parted ways with the club in December 2016.Club legend Robbie Peers makes return to Cheshire Phoenix
In July 2017, O'Reilly returned to UCC Demons as player-coach for the 2017–18 season.COLIN O'REILLY NAMED AS HEAD COACH FOR 2017/18 SEASONCOLIN COMES HOME He parted ways with Demons after the 2018–19 season.O'Reilly is still in love with basketball even as his time with Demons concludes
In June 2019, O'Reilly joined Killorglin as player-coach for the 2019–20 season.Colin O'Reilly joins Keanes Killorglin as player/coachNeptune take the place of basketball rivals Demons in the Super League
O'Reilly was set to serve as player-coach of Neptune for the 2020–21 seasonCork basketball clubs prepare for opening games but challenges lie ahead before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned as player-coach of Neptune for the 2021–22 season.Neptune basketball club: Roy Downey is confident his team can challenge
Coaching career For the 2022–23 season, O'Reilly continued on as Neptune's head coach. He began the 2023–24 season as coach before being replaced in November 2023.
National team career O'Reilly was head coach of the Irish senior men's team from 2014 to 2016, helping them to a fourth-placed finish at the 2016 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries.
In 2019, O'Reilly served as player-coach of the Irish 3x3 team at the FIBA 3x3 Europe Cup.
In April 2022, O'Reilly was re-appointed coach of the Irish men's 3x3 team. In March 2024, he was appointed coach of the Irish women's 3x3 team.
Personal life O'Reilly's older brother, Niall, also plays basketball.KIERAN SHANNON: The Big Interview: UCC Demons' Niall and Colin O’Reilly His sisters, Orla and Sinead, played college basketball for Binghamton University. After graduating, Orla went on to play professionally.
O'Reilly is a former Cork senior hurling championship winner. He played for Blackrock and helped them win the 2002 Cork Senior Hurling Championship.Cork hurling title winner O'Reilly bids for Cup final
References
External links Eurobasket.com profile