Carroll and Murphy announce retirement from international basketball

Ireland captain John Carroll has confirmed his retirement from international basketball with immediate effect, while 9-year veteran Lorcan Murphy has also decided to call time on his career at international level following the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Pre-Qualifiers against Kosovo and Switzerland. 

Carroll assumed the role as captain of the senior men’s side ahead of Ireland’s FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers against Austria and Switzerland in 2022 and was part of the Ireland squad which captured the FIBA European Championship For Small Countries at the National Basketball Arena in 2021, finishing as Ireland’s leading scorer.

The 28-year-old went on to feature in 8 of 10 games, as Ireland returned to FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualification, averaging 9.6 points, 6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in that stretch. 

“My time playing for my country has been incredible,” said Carroll. “Taking over from Kyle as captain was a huge honour for me and I’ve enjoyed every moment on the court in green. I hope I’ve left the jersey in a better place for a very talented group of guys coming through.”

“I want to thank all my coaches, staff, teammates, and the Irish fans, who have given me incredible support during my career. I’ll never forget the feeling of winning the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries at the Arena and now, I’m looking forward to seeing where the next generation can take us,” added Carroll. 

Murphy first featured for Ireland’s U16 squad, before making the step up to senior level at the age of 20 in 2015. The 29-year-old was also an integral part of Ireland’s success in the FIBA European Championship For Small Countries three years ago, playing just under 20-minutes per game and contributing 13 points per game as Mark Keenan’s side lifted the trophy. 

Simply, thank you 👏

Lorcan Murphy and John Carroll have confirmed their retirement from international basketball. #Greenmeansgo ☘️

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) February 28, 2024

The Templeogue forward was one of four players to play in each of Ireland’s FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifying campaign, featuring in many highlight plays along the way. His international career concluded in front of a sold-out crowd at the National Basketball Arena against Switzerland, as part of the first Irish basketball team to contest a FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifier.

“I am proud to have played alongside so many great players I can now call brothers. I always tried to embrace my role and play within it as best I could. I hope that I have inspired youngsters to believe in themselves and to pursue their basketball journey wherever it may take them,” said Murphy.

“Thank you to everyone I have crossed paths with and to all the fans who always turned up with a positive energy. This chapter for me is closing, but I will always remember the experience, the hardship, the work, the joy and the journey.”  

Ireland senior men’s head coach Mark Keenan commented: “It’s been a privilege to work with John and Lorcan in the international set up. As well as being very talented players, both have led by example on and off the court and shown huge commitment to Irish basketball.

I obviously know Lorcan very well, he’s played for me for a long time and I’m looking forward to that relationship continuing with Templeogue. John really stepped up for us as captain in our last qualification campaign, playing an important role in some big wins against Cyprus and Luxembourg. I wish him every success in the future."