Ireland U18 women's head coach names 12-person-squad for FIBA European Championships

Ireland U18 women’s head coach Tommy O’Mahony has named his final 12-person-squad ahead of the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship in Bulgaria, which get underway on June 30^th. 

It comes after the squad tasted success in the U18 Four Nations tournament in Cardiff, beating England, Scotland and Wales earlier this month.

Ireland secured a 9^th place finish following a successful FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship campaign a year ago and O’Mahony returns three players from that roster.  Caitlin Gloeckner (Waterford Wildcats), Rebecca Sexton (Brunell BC) and Lucy Devoy (Limerick Celtics) will be key players if Ireland are to repeat that impressive showing. Sexton is one of four Brunell BC players selected, Ava Walshe, Rachel Lynch and Issy McSweeney are the others. 

Clara Boyce (Liffey Celtics), Emma Tolan (McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles), Caoimhe Gilligan (Dublin Lions) and Grace Prenter (Meteors BC) featured at U16 level last season and successfully bridge the gap to make the final 12. The initial trio will bring additional size and scoring threat, averaging 5.7, 7.6 and 3.6 rebounds per game at the FIBA European Championship a year ago, while Prenter has recently been named Basketball Ireland U18 Player of The Year and put up 4.7 points, 1.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game at the same level in 2022.

Emer Dunne (SETU Carlow) and Katie O’Sullivan (Ongar Chasers) are the remaining duo to make the plane. Dunne was efficient when called upon during the U18 Four Nations success, with O’Sullivan among eight guards chosen by O’Mahony for group games against Bosnia & Herzegovina, Great Britain and Norway.

“After such as successful Four Nations tournament, making the final cut was always going to be an extremely difficult decision,” said O’Mahony on his selection. “There were many tough choices but we feel we have a team capable of competing at the highest level. With the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship being so early this year, we are well aware we need to hit the ground running and cannot waste any time in our preparation. We are really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” he added.

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Ireland U18 Women’s Squad:

Caitlin Gloeckner (Waterford Wildcats), Rebecca Sexton, Ava Walshe, Rachel Lynch, Issy McSweeney (All Brunell BC), Clara Boyce (Liffey Celtics), Grace Prenter (Meteors BC), Emer Dunne (SETU Carlow), Katie O’Sullivan (Ongar Chasers), Lucy Devoy (Limerick Celtics), Emma Tolan (McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles), Caoimhe Gilligan (Dublin Lions).

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Fixtures:

FIBA U18 Women's European Championship Group Phase

Ireland v Bosnia & Herzegovina 

Ireland v Norway

Ireland v Great Britain