Ireland Under 18 women’s basketball squad features Mayo player
Ireland Under 18 women’s basketball head coach Tommy O’Mahony has named his 12-person final squad for the FIBA Under 18 Women’s European Challengers 2021, which will take place in Klatovy, Czech Republic, from July 27 to August 1.
The squad features Hazel Finn of St. Louis Community School, Kiltimagh, and Maree BC in Galway, who has plenty of experience at Under 16 level with Ireland.
Hazel's older sister, Dayna, was yesterday named in the Ireland senior squad for the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, making it a memorable two days for the Kiltimagh family.
Elsewhere, there are four uncapped players in the Under 18 panel, including twin sisters Emma and Ellie Glavin from Tullamore BC. Kilkenny Stars player Lucy Coogan and Maria Kealy of Letterkenny Blaze are also in line for their international debuts.
Kealy is one of two Letterkenny Blaze players in the squad, with Shannon Cunningham also selected, while Dublin side Meteors supply three players – Sinéad Keane, Ella O’Donnell and Rebecca Hynes.
Head coach Tommy O’Mahony hailed the hard work and dedication of his squad ahead of the FIBA European Challengers, saying: “Over the last month the squad have put in a tremendous effort in their preparation for the FIBA European Challengers. We are delighted with the effort and application that the players have shown thus far. Due to the fact that we have been off court for a long period we had to adjust our plans, which the players have wholeheartedly bought in to.”
O’Mahony added: “We are looking forward to testing our skills against some of the best countries in Europe. While we are sure all the girls are delighted to make it this far, they also realise that a lot of effort is required in the next couple of weeks to make sure we are in prime condition to compete at this level.
“Bringing the squad down to 12 was an incredibly difficult task and the management staff would like to thank all panel members to date for their efforts. While some players are disappointed that they missed out, we are sure they will come back stronger when the season starts.”
The Ireland squad in full is: Lucy Coogan, Shannon Cunningham, Hazel Finn, Ellie Glavin, Emma Glavin, Sarah Hickey, Rebecca Hynes, Maria Kealy, Sinead Keane, Paris McCarthy, Kara McCleane and Ella O'Donnell.
Thirty teams have registered for the FIBA Under 18 Women’s European Challengers, with team seedings and group allocation based off Under 16 results from 2019 – the last time youth FIBA European Championships took place. Ireland are in Group B and will play Lithuania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Turkey and Serbia. The tournament has a round robin format, with game schedules and times still to be confirmed by FIBA.
In May, FIBA cancelled all youth European Championships due to the logistics of holding large-scale events during the current Covid-19 pandemic. They were replaced with the FIBA European Challengers 2021. The events are played on a voluntary participation basis.
*Pictured above, Hazel Finn in action for Ireland at Under 16 level. She has made the Under 18 squad for the upcoming FIBA European Challengers 2021.