Ireland advance to 9th-18th classification bracket at FIBA U18 Women's Youth EuroBasket

Ireland have qualified for the 9-18th classification bracket at FIBA U18 Women's Youth EuroBasket, following a 45-62 defeat to Greece which left Ireland in third place in Group A, with a 2-2 record after four games. They will now face Netherlands in their first classification bracket game - the Dutch also came third in their group - winning one of their three games. 

It's another strong showing from the U18 women's programme, after their counterparts in the men's programme also managed to progress to the same stage earlier this month. 

Tommy O'Mahony's side began strongly in the group, demolishing North Macedonia 86-52 on the back of 15 points and 8 assists from senior international Grace Prenter. Clara Boyce, Kira Lynch and captain Ava Walshe also reached double digits in a magnificent team performance to start things off on the right foot. A tough 68-64 loss against Bulgaria followed - the team that would go on to top the group unbeaten - before a 64-52 victory over Norway and the aforementioned defeat to Greece rounded of group phase play. 

All 12 players in Romania have logged minutes across the first four games and have all shown glimpses of what they are capable of on both ends of the floor. Meteors Grace Prenter led the team in scoring during the group phase, averaging 18.8 points per game, closely followed by Emma Tolan with 9ppg and Sidney Quinn with 7.7ppg. Quinn - the only overseas player based in the squad - has used her size well on the boards. She leads the team in rebounds with 5.3 per game and a block per game in her first four games of the tournament. 

"I'm thrilled with the performance of the team," said head coach Tommy O'Mahony. "Obviously we would prefer to be in the top 8 and I fully believe we have the players who could compete in that bracket, but that's basketball. On another day we come out the right side against Bulgaria, our shots drop and we are looking forward. Our objective now is to win our bracket and finish in 9th place, which would be a great achivement for Irish women's basketball. We are in a good position to do that and our full focus will move to the Netherlands game following our recovery from a tough game against Greece." 

"We're super proud with how we have preformed so far," added captain Ava Walshe. "It's going to be a really difficult game against Netherlands for us next so hopefully we can be ready for that and then who knows what will happen afterwards. It's a really fun group to be a part of, the atmosphere is great and we are looking forward to getting back on the court again at FIBA Youth EuroBasket." 

Next up for Ireland will be the aforementioned meeting with Netherlands in Sala Polivalenta Blejoi, on Friday at 10:00.