Get To Know: Irish international Bridget Herlihy

Ireland's Bridget Herlihy made her FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 Qualifier debut against The Netherlands, but what about her upbringin The United States and her Irish connections led her to line-out for James Weldon's squad? We caught up with the new cap to find out. 

Let’s give everyone a taste of who Bridget Herlihy is, tell us a little bit about your upbringing and your Irish connections.

I was born and raised outside of Boston, Massachusetts, in a town called Braintree, with my parents and younger sister. My aunts, uncle, and grandmother on my dad’s side all lived relatively close to us, and we would always meet up for holidays, birthdays, and other family celebrations.

Both of my grandparents grew up in Ireland, and though I never met my grandfather, my nana was able to teach me about my Irish background and what life was like for her growing up in the Aran Islands. I also had many friends in school whose parents immigrated to the US from Ireland, and they became a second family to me as well.

What’s your earliest basketball memory?

I remember when I first started playing basketball when I was in second grade (7-years-old) and we used small basketballs and shot on 8-foot hoops. I can’t imagine I was any good, but that didn’t stop my parents from waking up at 7 in the morning on their weekends to watch me play.

Bridget Herlihy, Dayna Finn, Sorcha Tiernan and Edel Thornton in action on the court. 

What sportsperson inspired you most when you were growing up?

I was a big fan of the Boston Celtics growing up and my favourite player was always Kevin Garnett. He was a post like me, so I always looked up to him.

When did playing for Ireland first enter your thoughts/become a possibility?

Sue Moran was coaching at St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia while I was at Villanova and she actually got my dad in contact with James Weldon. Since my dad already had his Irish passport, I was eligible to get mine as well.

You made your debut against Estonia in the Gotham Drywall Series and it was a dream debut in many respects…you almost had a triple-double. How proud of a moment was that for you and your family?

Very proud. I was proud that I was able to play hard on an international level and that I fit in well with this team, after only playing with them for a few weeks. Both of my parents were very proud of me as well, but my dad was especially emotional imagining how proud my grandparents would have been.

How have you found the transition from college to the professional ranks and now international level?

I have had to change several aspects of my game since starting my professional career. I have been put into situations where I have to be more aggressive and a bit more selfish offensively, which is something I was not used to in college. The international level so far has reminded me of the level and type of basketball I played in college, where every member of the team has to gel well into the system and know how to play their role. The biggest similarity between the three levels and my favourite part of playing basketball is that the team always ends up feeling much like a family after spending so much time together.

Bridget Herlihy signs autographs for members of the Ireland U14 girls academy team. 

Are any of your family making the trip to the National Basketball Arena to support you today?

My mom and sister wanted to come, but they won’t be able to make it; they’ll watch online. Luckily my dad will be there supporting me in person.

What are you looking forward to most about your competitive bow?

I am looking forward to reuniting with this team and continuing building on the momentum we ended with at the end of the summer.

How much do you know about the Dutch team? Have you had the chance to watch back our previous meeting in the FIBA Women’s 2023 EuroBasket qualifiers?

I know that this is a strong team that gave us some trouble at their place last year. I do however, like our chances in this game at home and would love to come out of the weekend with a win.

You currently play in Sweden – what’s your favourite aspect of life there?

My favourite part about living in Sweden and playing in this team is getting to meet so many kind and genuine people. Everyone I have met has been extremely welcoming and has made me feel comfortable and at home, despite not even understanding their language.