Basketball began for Shane at the age of 7 when his father Pat O’Meara started coaching in the Teeling Centre, Collooney on Thursdays. Shane played locally in the Community Games competitions before joining the All-Stars at the age of 13. At the time there weren’t as many teams locally and no formal league but coaches John Mc Gowan and Carl Duggan were ahead of their time and brought the team to tournaments in Galway, Longford and Ballina to get the players games. 

Some of Shane’s favourite memories as an underage player were the tournaments his dad organised in Collooney and the trips to Dungarvan to the national basketball camps in the summer.

O’Meara was fortunate enough to be brought into a national academy at U15 level and privileged to represent Ireland at u18, U23 and in the World University Games in Spain.

Shane began his National League career at the age of 17 under Gerry Monaghan. He had previously coached the u19 team to a National Cup title in 1993 and he brought a lot of that group into the men’s team in the following season. The two Americans at the time were Sean Bell and Torraine Sears (RIP) and the team was extremely competitive, winning the Top 4 Playoffs at the end of the season. Gerry also returned to coach the team to National Cup glory in 2006.

As a primary school teacher Shane began coaching basketball at a relatively young age and his first coaching job was with Coola Post Primary where the school enjoyed a lot of success numerous national titles in league and cup with an amazing group of girls whose work ethic was incredible.