Ireland U18 women's head coach reduces squad to 18 for 2024/25

Ireland U18 women's head coach Tommy O'Mahony has reduced the size of his squad to 18 following the Christmas period, as preparations continue for this summer's FIBA Youth EuroBasket. 

Guard Kira Lynch (Meteors BC) and forward Faye McDonnell (Kilkenny Stars) are two returnees from the Ireland side which finished with a 5-2 record in 9th position at this age grade last year. Both featured in seven games, averaging a combined 10.3 points per game, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Lynch is joined in the squad by four of her teammates with Dublin based Meteors BC who are the club that send the most players - Andrea Chrislyn Jude, former Ireland U16 captain Helena Keane, Kaitlyn Summers and Ríodhna McGrath.

13 clubs are represented in the squad from clubs in Antrim, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick and Offaly. Templeogue BC's Grace Miley is the only player selected that is previously uncapped, while there is also space for Sophie Staunton of Oblate Dynamos, who has been excelling in at National League level in Women's Division One this campaign. 

Speaking after making the selection, head coach Tommy O'Mahony said: "We are delighted with the talented squad we have assembled. As FIBA Youth EuroBasket comes up quite early this year, we understand we have a lot of work to do it a short space of time. We will need to use every resource available in order to be ready for a tough encounter that awaits us”.

Ireland Squad: Abbie Lyons, Aoibheann Donnelly, Andrea Chrislyn Jude, Ciara Brogan, Faye McDonnell, Francesca Kyamagero, Grace Miley, Helena Keane, Kaitlyn Summers, Katie Behan, Kira Lynch, Meabh Purtill, Muireann Teahan, Naomi Farrington, Ríodhna McGrath, Sophie Staunton, Úna O'Brien. 

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