Ireland U16 women's head coach names 15 strong squad for Four Nations Tournament

Ireland U16 women’s head coach Paul O’Brien has selected a squad of 15 for the Four Nations Tournament, which takes place in the National Basketball Arena on Tuesday, March 26^th and Wednesday, March 27^th.  

Coach O’Brien was an assistant as Ireland finished second in the competition in 2023, beating Scotland and Wales before suffering defeat against England on the final day.

Aoibheann Donnelly (Belfast Star), Francesca Kyamagero (Cobh BC) and Kaitlyn Summers (Kilkenny Stars) return having competed at last year’s FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship. The other with international experience is Lucy Walsh (Cobh BC). Walsh featured in two games during the Four Nations tournament a year ago.

All the players selected are based domestically with nine clubs represented from across all four provinces. Kilkenny Stars are the best represented with three players making the grade. Templeogue BC, Limerick Celtics and Cobh BC all have two players chosen, while Caherciveen, Brunell BC, Tolka Rovers, Belfast Star, Maree BC and Tralee Magic will each send one player to the squad.

Head coach Paul O'Brien said:

“This was an incredibly difficult squad to select as all the players have given everything over the last few months in our training camps. We feel we have selected a squad that can deal with different situations and the potential in the group is massive. I am extremely happy to be going into the Four Nations tournament with this group and to keep working towards competing in the FIBA European Championships in August.”

Ireland Squad: 

Katie Behan (Templeogue BC), Eabha Booth (Templeogue BC), Cara Cormican (Maree BC), Aoibheann Donnelly (Belfast Star), Naomi Farrington (Tolka Rovers), Madelyn Hartigan (Limerick Celtics), Francesca Kyamagero (Cobh BC), Abbie Lyons (Brunell BC), Priya O’Donovan (Tralee Magic), Aimee O’Reilly (Kilkenny Stars), Meabh Purtill (Limerick Celtics), Kaitlyn Summers (Kilkenny Stars), Muireann Teahan (Caherciveen), Caoimhe Timmons (Kilkenny Stars), Lucy Walsh, (Cobh BC).