The Ireland Under 20
women’s team stormed through to the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship
Division B semi-finals this evening thanks to a thrilling 66-53 point win over
Croatia.
The win saw Ireland top
their group in Round 2 and advance through to Saturday’s semi-final where they
will face Bulgaria at 3.30pm Irish time, with promotion to Division A and a
medal all up for grabs.
Despite what the scoreline may suggest though, this game was neck-in-neck right
up until the fourth quarter. The lead changed hands 20 times throughout the
game in a pulsating and absorbing contest. Ireland had heroes across the floor,
with a superb team display on defense shutting down the threats of Croatia’s
sharpshooters Andjela Katavic and Karla Erjavec to see them score just a
combined 13 points in the game. With standout performances across the court,
some of the key performers for Ireland included Enya Maguire, who finished with
11 points, three rebounds, two steals, two assists, Claire Melia who notched
another double double of 10 points and 12 rebounds, Sorcha Tiernan was also a stand
out with 12 points, while Dayna Finn top scored with 20 points. Rachel
Huijsdens and Annalise Murphy were also key players in an all round superb
display.
It was the fourth quarter
where the game was well and truly won though, as the sides were level 14-14 at
the end of the first, Croatia led 27-29 at the end of the second, while Ireland
had just edged ahead at the end of the third, 49-46. A massive three pointer
from Tiernan got the scoring underway for the Irish in the fourth quarter and
this, followed by huge boards from Huijsdens, set Tiernan up for another score
moments later to see Ireland suddenly ahead 55-48. The momentum was firmly in
Ireland’s favour as Dayna Finn drove inside for two, while superb work from
Maeve Phelan sent Melia through to the basket. Another huge three-pointer from
Tiernan followed and it was game over, as Ireland powered through the remaining
minutes to win out in thrilling fashion, 66-53.
Speaking afterwards, head
coach Martin Conroy stated: “It’s fantastic. The turnaround from yesterday’s
game to today just shows the character in this team - they’re absolutely
phenomenal. Their work rate on defense today was phenomenal, we knew if we hung
around up to the fourth quarter we could take this team. We hit a huge three in
the corner – I think we were nine up at the time – and Sorcha hit a huge three
to see us up 12 and that really killed off any chance of Croatia coming back
into the game. They’re now into a second semi-final in three years, it’s an
unbelievable group of athletes and we look forward to Saturday now.”
Over in Montenegro
meanwhile, the Ireland U16 men tipped of their 2019 FIBA U16 Men’s European
Championship Division B campaign this afternoon and lost out to a long and
fast-paced Czech Republic 75-44. From the off, the Czech side were aggressive
and defensively strong, forcing turnovers and finishing well to the basket. A
stand out performance from Ireland’s ND Okafor saw him finish with a double
double of 14 points and 16 rebounds, but it just wasn’t enough as Czech
Republic led 44-17 at the half and they went on to drive home to victory from
there, 75-44.
Speaking afterwards, head
coach Pat Price said: “It was a tough first day but we need to learn, adjust
and proceed. I loved our second half effort and our refusal to quit. Georgia –
who we face tomorrow - is also quite talented, and they should be another great
challenge for the boys.”
Ireland U20
Women’s Result
Thursday,
August 8th
Game 2, Round
2
Ireland 66-53 Croatia
Ireland U16
Men's Result
Thursday,
August 8th
Group Game 1
Czech Republic 75-44
Ireland
TEAMS AND SCORERS:
IRELAND U20
WOMEN: Alison Blaney (1),
Amy Dooley, Amy Murphy (inj.), Annalise Murphy (3), Claire Melia (10), Dayna
Finn (20), Enya Maguire (11), Louise Scannell (5), Maeve Phelan (4), Rachel
Huijsdens (4), Sorcha Tiernan (12), Maggie Byrne.
IRELAND U16 MEN: Clinton Efinda, Darragh Ferguson (2), Michael
O'Mahony (2), Milo Herbst, Mobi Kegwuruka (5), ND Okafor (14), Nelson
Fouto-Toumo (12), Roniel Oguekwe, Ryan Djoussa (4), Sean Pollmann-Daamen (3),
Tim Pollmann-Daamen, Wede Esojobar (2).
Ireland U20
Women’s Team Fixtures
All times are
Irish times
Saturday,
August 10th
Semi Final
Ireland v Bulgaria, 15.30
Sunday,
August 11th
Classification
Ireland U16
Men – Fixtures
All times
listed are Irish times
Friday,
August 9th
Group Game 2
Ireland v Georgia, 15.00
Saturday,
August 10th
Group Game 3
Portugal v Ireland, 19.30
Sunday,
August 11th
Rest Day
Monday,
August 12th
Group Game 4
Ireland v Cyprus, 17.15
Tuesday,
August 13th
Group Game 5
Netherlands v Ireland,
19.30
Wednesday,
August 14th
Rest Day
Friday,
August 15th
Classification
Saturday,
August 16th
Classification
Sunday,
August 17th
Classification
TEAM LISTS:
IRELAND UNDER
20 WOMEN 2019
Alison Blaney, Trinity College Dublin, Maree BC
Amy Dooley, Hobart &
William Smith Colleges (USA)
Amy Murphy, Cork College
of Commerce, Brunell BC
Annalise Murphy,
University College Cork, Ambassador UCC Glanmire
Claire Melia, TU Dublin
Blanchardstown, Portlaoise Panthers
Dayna Finn, NUI Galway, Maree BC
Enya Maguire, Ulidia
Integrated College, Ulster University Elks
Louise Scannell,
Ambassador UCC Glanmire
Maeve Phelan, Dublin City
University, Pyrobel Killester
Maggie Byrne, NUI Galway, Maree BC
Rachel Huijsdens, Trinity
College Dublin, DCU Mercy
Sorcha Tiernan, Trinity
College Dublin, Courtyard Liffey Celtics
The Ireland
U16 Men’s team 2019:
Clinton Efinda, Naas CBS,
Templeogue BC
Darragh Ferguson, St
Malachy’s College, Belfast, Belfast Star
Michael O'Mahony, Douglas
Community School, Fr Mathews Basketball Club
Milo Herbst, Colaiste
Eanna, Eanna BC
Mobi Kegwuruka, St Mary’s College, Galway, Titans BC
ND Okafor, O’Fiaich
College, Dundalk, Dundalk Ravens
Nelson Fouto-Toumo,
Colaiste Chiaráin Leixlip
Roniel Oguekwe, Calasanctius College, Maree BC
Ryan Djoussa, Blakestown
Community College, Ongar Chasers
Sean Pollmann-Daamen,
Mercy Mounthawk Tralee, TK Bobcats
Tim Pollmann-Daamen,
Mercy Mounthawk, TK Bobcats
Wede Esojobar, St.
Oliver's Community College, Drogheda, Drogheda Bullet
