Ireland U16 WNT squad announced for FIBA Youth EuroBasket 2026

Ireland U16 WNT head coach Paul O'Brien has selected a squad of 12 players that will compete in the re-jigged FIBA U16 Women's Youth EuroBasket 2026, which takes place in Greece from August 6th to August 11th. Clubs from Dublin, Laois and Limerick are represented. 

Portlaoise Panthers' Katie Rose Harrison, Robyn Walsh of Limerick Celtics and Killester BC pair Ayotade Ademokun and Sorcha Kelly bring previous experience at this level, featuring in O'Brien's squad that traveled to Turkey a year ago. Walsh and Katie Rose Harrison averaged double-digit minutes in tournament play, with the Limerick Celtics guard contributing 7.2 points, 2.2 steals and one assist on average during those minutes. Ademokun and Kelly also made valuable contributions as the team picked up a vital win over North Macedonia in the final game. 

Fresh from a runners-up performance at the AIG U16 Girls All-Ireland Club Championship, Dublin Lions co-captains Aoife Courtney and Avie-Leigh McGonagle are included, as well as team-mate Mia Dunne. That trio combined for 23 of their side's 32 points in their defeat to Limerick Celtics. Two of that title winning Limerick side are on the roster - the aforementioned Robyn Walsh, alongside Siun Kelly. 

Elsewhere a third Killester BC star Ciara Zurawska is selected, while there are also FIBA Youth EuroBasket debuts for Jessica Bree (Meteors BC) and Sarah Horkan (Limerick Sport Huskies). Naiya Turner (Bethel Park High School, Pittsburgh) is the sole player selected who currently plays outside of Ireland. The 5'10 wing player will bring a valuable scoring option to O'Brien's team in two tough group games. 

Due to a delay in confirming a host country for the tournament, FIBA Europe announced earlier this year that the FIBA U16 Women's Youth EuroBasket 2026 will be run as a series of mini-tournaments, similar to the Euro Challenger competitions that took place in 2021. Ireland will feature in a six-team competition along with Denmark, Greece, Great Britain, Iceland and Norway. Ireland have been drawn in Group E of the re-formatted competition alongside Denmark and Greece. Two teams will advance to the semi-final stage from each of Group E and Group F, with one team gaining promotion to Division 'A' for the following year. 

Speaking after the announcement of his squad, Ireland head coach Paul O'Brien said: “After a great eight months, we are delighted to announce our final squad for the 2026 FIBA Youth EuroBasket campaign.  This selection was process was so difficult as the level of players that we had in the squad was incredibly high and it is a testament to the hard work they all have been putting in.  We really feel we have a squad that has a great blend of the attributes that we feel will be key to us trying to be successful this summer. I am really looking forward to the challenge and know this group of players is going to embrace it.

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Group: 

Group E: Denmark, Ireland, Greece.

Fixtures:

Denmark v Ireland, Thursday, August 6th, TBD

Ireland v Greece, Friday, August 7th, TBD

Ireland squad:

Aoife Courtney (Dublin Lions), Avie Leigh McGonagle (Dublin Lions), Ayotade Ademokun (Killester BC), Ciara Zurawska (Killester BC), Jessica Bree (MeteorsBC), Katie Rose Harrison (Portlaoise Panthers), Mia Dunne (Dublin Lions), Naiya Turner (Bethel Park High School, Pittsburgh), Robyn Walsh (Limerick Celtics), Sarah Horkan (Limerick Sport Huskies), Siun Kelly (Limerick Celtics), Sorcha Kelly (Killester).