International

Aug 12 2022

Ireland boosted by return of Claire Melia for two-game series in Portugal

Ireland senior women’s head coach James Weldon is boosted by the return of Trinity Meteors’ Claire Melia for their two-game series with Portugal this weekend.

Ireland’s top performer from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2023 qualifiers missed last weekend’s series win against Estonia as the coaching staff gave an opportunity to a number of young players, with seven in total earning their first cap. It’ll be a huge boost to the Irish team to have Melia back, with Irish fans undoubtedly excited to see if she can strike up a quick partnership with Bridget Herlihy. The imposing Malmo Basket player impressed on debut a week ago, posting a double-double on both days. Weldon will be keen to get Herlihy and Melia as many minutes on the floor together as possible with eyes trained on a November FIBA EuroBasket meeting with The Netherlands.

WATCH IRELAND VS PORTUGAL LIVE

Another name coming into the squad this weekend, hoping to earn her first cap is Kate Hickey. The Waterford Wildcats’ young gun excelled during Ireland’s recent FIBA U20 European Championship run and will now get her chance to stake a claim for a spot in the senior set up going forward. Dropping out of the 12-person squad to facilitate the two fresh inclusions are Ella O’Donnell and Mia Furlong. Both have impressed in the minutes they gained in practice and last weekend’s series, no doubt giving the coaching staff something to think about going forward.

Elsewhere the squad remains unchanged as Ireland look to rebuild chemistry among the group on the court after a long hiatus from action. Weldon will be pleased with the growing depth within his squad and the selection headaches he will have in a few months’ time when naming a final squad for the competitive action.

Ireland’s opponents Portugal sit in 50^th place in the FIBA World Rankings, sixteen places above the Irish and ten places above last weekend’s foes Estonia. Portugal currently lie second in their FIBA EuroBasket 2023 Qualifying group with a 1-1 record. They beat Estonia in their opening game before falling to defeat against Greece in Athens last November. The majority of their squad currently ply their trade in the top tier of the Spanish domestic scene or with Benfica SL.

Ireland head coach James Weldon said ahead of the game:

“After two good wins last weekend over Estonia at home we now look forward to the taking on Portugal in Porto. Portugal are quality team with many of their players playing in the top league in Spain.

They are a very well coached team who already beat Estonia in their November window games. Again this is invaluable experience for our team against a higher ranked opponent who play a similar style to the Netherlands. "

Ireland Senior Women’s Squad:

Edel Thornton, Dayna Finn, Enya Maguire, Maeve Phelan, Michelle Clarke, Sarah Kenny, Rachel Huijsdens, Bridget Herlihy, Aine O’Connor, Kate Hickey, Claire Melia, Bronagh Power-Cassidy.