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Basketball Ireland Condemns Abusive Comments Directed At Underage Women's Team

Wednesday, 14 July 2021 15:59

By Robbie Fahy X @RobbieFahy

Four players from Laois are competing on the team.

Basketball Ireland is condemning a number of abusive comments left online during the Ireland U-20 women's team's defeat to Israel yesterday. 

Four Portlaoise Panthers Lisa Blaney, Jasmine Burke, Ciara Byrne and Sarah Fleming are part of the squad competing in the FIBA European Challenger event in Hungary at the moment. 

Ciara Byrne is the captain of the squad which was subject to the 'abusive and disgraceful' comments following a 91-28 loss in their second round group B game.

Basketball Ireland issued the following statement to Midlands 103 Sport:

"Basketball Ireland became aware of public comments on the live YouTube feed of our U20 women's game against Israel at the FIBA U20 European Challengers on Tuesday. We addressed it with the tournament hosts and we would like to thank the Hungarian Federation for their subsequent actions. 

"Basketball Ireland also had to deal with a number of negative comments on its own platforms, which were removed as soon as they were seen. No one should be subject to online abuse and those who post such material should be ashamed of themselves. Our team has performed admirably in their three games so far and have done the country proud. Basketball Ireland would also like to praise the basketball community who have rallied around the team."

The messages were removed but it is another example of trolls targeting athletes online and is being rightly condemned across the board. 

Portlaoise Panthers were also very quick to come out in support of their girls.

Head coach Martin Conroy spoke well on the issue too:

Ireland competed in their third game in the tournament this afternoon, losing out to Spain 94-29. 

The team are leaving everything on the floor in these games and playing at a higher level than most will have experienced in their young careers so should be commended for their efforts rather than lambasted. 

Head up girls! 

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