Basketball Confessions

Being from an Irish Catholic family, Neil’s education began in Catholic schools, where from a young age he progressed rapidly as he was a quick learner, had a good memory and was one with good grades. 



The problem was that learned too fast and thus became easily bored with a repetitious curriculum of stale memorizing. This strict atmosphere stifled his restless spirit and opened the opportunities for humorous classroom rebellion.

The poor old Nuns and teachers could barely turn to the blackboard without Neil’s mimicking antics and causing classroom laughter. 

The teachers knew who the culprit was but catching him in the act was always difficult. Neil did get the cane on the hands occasionally, a seat in the corner facing the wall, banishing to the hall or told to report to the Principal, Father O’Railey, who actually became a lifelong friend because of repeat visits and frank religious conversations.

On one occasion Father O’Railey ran into Neil in the hall. “You again. What did you do this time?” he queried. “Don’t tell me.” “Can I go to the school yard and shoot some baskets?” asked Neil. “Go ahead but no more trouble.” the Father said.



This was the beginning of Neil’s welcome punishments.  He spent hours honing his basketball skills and raising the school’s athletic reputation in the State and in New England.  All this while his classmates peered out windows enviously waiting for recess.

On another visit to the Principal’s office Father O’Railey commented that he hadn’t seen Neil at Confession lately, maybe you need a little less basketball and a bit more soul searching and admission of your wrong doing actions.



Neil was quick to respond, “Father, in Bible studies you told me that God is omnipresent, omniscient, omni-this and omni-that.  HE sees all and knows all, so why do I have to confess what I do when HE already knows it ALL?”

Father O’Railey paused knowing that the innocence of youth had exposed the truth behind religious control dogma and policy and would open a can of worms in an ethics debate with a 9-year old kid, so he just said, “Good point. That is something that we will talk about sometime later.  Now go and shoot some hoops.” The Father obviously knew how to play “Dodge’em”.

“Thank you Father.” Neil chirped and commented, “You know the Bible says for us to do our best and that is what I do in class and on the court,” thus declaring the depth of a young boy’s understanding of life.

From an early age Neil formed such comprehension. And though he was never a devout follower, he did meet in his lifetime with two Popes and other religious leaders receiving their blessings. That alone is an accomplishment few ever attain.



Later in his career, Neil got into a high level religious debate concerning biblical knowledge with a Bible scholar. The debate was fierce with email challenges flying back and forth. Neil was definitely outclassed but he had a trick up his sleeve. 

Whenever Neil got stumped or needed help with Church policy or interpretations, Neil would ask his friend, Pope John Paul II, for advice. 

Little did his debating opponent or anyone else know that Neil was using the Ultimate Source to gain a definitive advantage but for the Irish “It’s only a fight if you WIN!”

And even Pope John Paul was impressed by Neil’s astute questioning. 

May God Bless.

Copyright © 2025, GROUP K, Ltd.

Batman and the Fat Girl

In his primary and middle school years, Neil, though small in stature, was a scrapper and a kid to be reckoned with and avoided in a fight as his body was already lean and muscles taught from all his sports training and activities.

And being Irish he opted to carrying about his own “shillelagh”, which was a miniature baseball bat that he used during the Summer to play stickball in the streets with his neighborhood buddies and to just swing it around to strengthen his wrists reflexes for each sport season.

On this day Neil was heading back home when he rounded a street corner and ran into a gang of older boys that were “shaking down” one of Neil’s classmates whose books and papers were all scattered about and the poor kid was being pushed back and forth by the Bullies.   

The classmate was one of those studious types with thick glasses and always with a book in hand, what is called a “nerd” these days or a “wimp”. 

So he was easy pickings for the Bullies who circled him with taunts and physical shoving seeing if they could shake down the poor kid and get some money or just have fun harassing an innocent just for amusement.

Well Neil sees what’s happening and walks up to the gang and asks, “What’s going on here?” (which he already knew what was taking place).

The Bullies Leader then steps forward with a “None of your business #!*@head! Get Lost!” and gives Neil a shove…

AUGH OH! That was a big mistake.  You should never provoke a fight with an Irishman.  They never quit!

Neil took another shove and then with lightning speed BATMAN arose!  First swing was to the head that open a 6-stitch gash and made a bloody mess, followed by strikes to the arms and knees, then one to the nose for black eyes and finally a crushing blow that broke the bastard’s leg, leaving him crying in a bleeding heap on the ground.

It was all over in less than a minute and Neil just stood there saying “Next!?”

The rest of the Bullies stepped back and then scattered, leaving their buddy to moan alone.

Neil then helped his classmate pick up his belongings and walked with the boy back to his home, before heading for the gym to cool down.

Later that evening Constable O’Malley stopped by Neil’s house and asked Neil if he knew anything about the fight that happened downtown that afternoon?  Neil replied, “What fight?  I was at the gym all afternoon.” 

“Well” said O’Malley, “That ruffian from the Elm Street Gang got himself landed in the hospital with a broken leg and plenty of stitches.  Seems he bit off more than he could chew and got what he deserved.  Nice seein’ ya Neil.”

After dinner Neil’s father called Neil over for an old Irish saying, “For the Irish it is only a fight if you WIN.”  No more needed to be said.

The Fat Girl

Later in the Fall school term Neil noticed a group of boys huddling together on the playground, so he went over to investigate.  What he found was a bunch of boys who had surrounded the class’s “Fat Girl”.  (There is always one.) 

The boys were calling her names, making derogatory and demeaning comments and not releasing her from their fun and games.

Of course Neil steps into the fray, is disgusted at what he sees and sets out to break up the gathering.  He comments that it is not right to judge anyone by how they look or by their race or ethnic background, and that they should apologize to the girl.

And as usual there is always the wise guy who blurts out, “Make ME!”  So Neil obliges the idiot with a right to the nose, which raises his arms for a punch to the gut, which doubles him over for an uppercut to the chin that sends him flat on his back with a bloody nose. A 10-second basketball drill.

Neil then takes the Fat Girl by the hand.  Asks her if she is alright.  And then escorts her back to where her girlfriends are sitting.

A little while later one of the prettiest girls in school and the BFF (Best Friend Forever) of the Fat Girl came over to Neil and thanked him for rescuing her friend and if he ever needed anything she and all the girls in school will help him.

This one little incident made Neil the undisputed champion and protector of all the girls in the school and gave him the opportunity to cherry pick the best among them… which he did.   

But what is the important take away from these two tales is the fact that even at an early age Neil had developed a strong moral core and would selflessly engage in supporting anyone in need of help. 

To this day this humanitarian attitude still pervades his memories and he remains a most GIVING human being.

Copyright © 2025, GROUP K, Ltd.