This Saturday will see the Ireland Under 18 women’s basketball team write yet another piece of history as they make their debut at the FIBA Under 18 Women’s European Championship Division A in Udine, Italy.
The team’s appearance in Division A – for the first time in the history of Irish basketball – follows on from their incredible fairytale journey through the Division B championships which were held in Dublin last summer, and saw the girls in green scoop a silver medal and promotion in superb fashion.
Now though, they have an extremely tough challenge in store as they face some of the giants of European basketball in the coming days, having been drawn in Group D alongside Russia, France and fellow promoted side, Poland.
Looking ahead to the challenge, head coach Patrick O’Neill stated: “We’ve got a couple of days training under our belt here so we are acclimatising to the heat – it’s quite warm here, it’s in the mid 30s, but the girls are doing really well. We’re really looking forward to tomorrow, we’re excited to get on the court and experience 'A' basketball for the first time.
“Poland is a good, solid team. They have four of their team from last year and have some very talented under 16s who have stepped up. If we play to our potential though, we can definitely do a job on this game. There are definitely some nerves there, but we’re ready to go and it’s just fantastic to be here in Italy to take the step on from last year. We’ve accepted the mantle and we want to go out and do Ireland proud."
FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship Division A Fixtures
(NOTE: All times listed are Irish times)
Saturday, August 4th
Group Games
Ireland v Poland, 17.45
Sunday, August 5th
Group Games
Russia v Ireland, 15.30
Monday, August 6th
Group Games
Ireland v France, 20.00
Wednesday, August 8th
Round of 16
Thursday, August 9th
Classification Games
Saturday, August 11th
Classification Games
Sunday, August 12th
Classification Games
Official event website: http://www.fiba.basketball/europe/u18women/2018/
The Ireland Under 18 Women’s team 2018:
Annaliese Murphy, Colaiste an Phiarsaigh, Ambassador UCC Glanmire
Bronagh Power-Cassidy, Holy Faith Clontarf, DCU Mercy
Dayna Finn, NUIG, NUIG Mystics
Enya Maguire, Ulidia Integrated College, Ulster University Elks
Ella McCloskey, Mount Temple, Pyrobel Killester
Eve Nealon, Crescent Comprehensive, Limerick Celtics
Katie Williamson, Setanta College, Liffey Celtics BC
Lynn Tunnah, St Louis High School, Templeogue BC
Maeve Ó Séaghdha, Holy Faith Clontarf, DCU Mercy
Maeve Phelan, Scoil Chroist Ri, Portlaoise Panthers
Niamh Masterson, Colaiste Chiarain Community School, Liffey Celtics BC
Nicole Clancy, St Mary’s College, DCU Mercy
