Ireland Senior Women's Baketball Team Named For FIBA Euro Championships Named

Thursday, 1 July 2021 10:19

It's an alternate competition for small countries which takes place in Cyprus.

Ireland senior women’s head coach James Weldon has picked his final 12-person squad for the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, which take place in Nicosia, Cyprus from July 20^th- 25^th.

There are two uncapped players in the senior squad - Maree’s Dayna Finn, who also plays Gaelic Football for Mayo, and DCU Mercy’s Rachel Huijsdens. Both players have significant underage experience, winning a silver medal at the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship in 2017 and bronze at the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship in 2019. Sorcha Tiernan and Claire Melia were also part of those Irish underage medal-winning sides and have already earned senior Irish caps.

Melia is one of three players from Glanmire in the squad, with Aine McKenna and Claire Rockall also selected. There are two players each from DCU Mercy and Liffey Celtics.

Speaking about his selection, Irish senior women’s head coach James Weldon said:

“Since we were allowed to return to train as a team in April I have been so impressed by the commitment, dedication and preparation of our squad members, working with our management team. Consequently, it was a difficult decision to select a final squad, with so many talented and exceptional players to choose from. We are really looking forward to the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Cyprus in July, eager to give a good account of ourselves and challenge for honours. The team return to National Basketball Arena this weekend to build on the work we have done so far.”

Ireland’s opening game is against Andorra on July 20^th, followed by Pool A top seeds Malta on July 22^nd. They were also due to face Norway in their pool, but they’ve pulled out of the tournament.

Pool B comprises of Luxembourg, Cyprus and Kosovo. Gibraltar were originally in Pool B, but they’ve also withdrawn from participating. The competition is played in a round-robin format, the top two teams in each group progress to the semi-finals on July 24^th, while the third-placed teams face off in the 5^th/6^thplace classification game on the same day. The final and 3rd/4th place playoff take place on July 25^th.

IRELAND SENIOR WOMEN’S SQUAD

First Name	Surname	D.O.B.	Age	Height	Club	Position
Michelle	Clarke	03/09/94	26	5’ 8” 1.76m	Pyrobel Killester	Shooting Guard
Gráinne	Dwyer	19/12/84	36	5’ 10” 1.78m	Fr. Mathews	Forward
Dayna	Finn	09/02/00	21	5’ 9” 1.75m	Maree BC	Point Guard
Rachel	Huijsdens	23/06/99	22	6’ 3” 1.93m	DCU Mercy	Forward
Claire	Melia	12/07/99	21	6’ 2” 1.9m	Glanmire	Forward/Centre
Aine	McKenna	23/09/89	31	5’6” 1.7m	Glanmire	Point Guard
Aine	O’Connor	28/11/91	29	6’ 1” 1.85m	Liffey Celtics	Forward
Fiona	O’Dwyer	27/06/91	30	5’ 9” 1.81m	Unsigned	Forward
Claire	Rockall	07/09/90	30	5’9” 1.79m	Glanmire	Guard
Sorcha	Tiernan	18/08/99	21	5’7” 1.74m	Liffey Celtics	Point Guard
Edel	Thornton	22/11/96	24	5’7” 1.70m	Brunell BC	Guard
Hannah	Thornton	29/07/91	29	6’ 1” 1.85m	DCU Mercy	Forward

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