Mark Keenan stepping down as Ireland men’s head coach

Mark Keenan is stepping down as Ireland men’s head coach after six years in the role.

 It follows a meeting between Keenan, Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan and Deirdre Brennan, Chairperson of the Elite Performance Committee (EPC), where all parties agreed it was time for a change. 

Speaking about the decision, Keenan said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time as Ireland head coach, it’s been a great honour to lead my national team. It’s now time to pass on the torch to the next head coach to build on what we’ve achieved over the last six years.”

Keenan was appointed in 2019 and led Ireland to trophy success, winning the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries. That tournament victory helped propel Ireland into the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers, where the team claimed home and away victories over both Cyprus and Luxembourg. 

The Ireland team pictured after winning the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries. 

Keenan was appointed in 2019 and led Ireland to trophy success, winning the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries. That tournament victory helped propel Ireland into the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers, where the team claimed home and away victories over both Cyprus and Luxembourg.

Keenan subsequently led the side into the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Pre-Qualifiers - the first time an Irish side has competed at World Cup level. The team came agonisingly close to advancing to the next round, having achieved an impressive three wins, twice against Azerbaijan and a home victory against Kosovo. 

Keenan stated: “There have been so many highs, including winning the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Dublin. Leading our return to FIBA EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers was a big task, but one I and the rest of my coaching staff relished, picking up four wins over Cyprus and Luxembourg, who were both ranked higher than us.

Mark Keenan shares a moment with Jordan Blount following a FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifier at the National Basketball Arena. 

He added: “Our two home wins last November during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Pre-Qualifiers and the atmosphere at those games will also live long in the memory and we came so close to advancing to the next stage of qualifying, with three wins overall.

Chair of the Elite Performance Committee, Deirdre Brennan, praised Keenan’s contribution to Irish basketball, “Mark has left a legacy with Irish basketball and on behalf of the EPC I’d like to thank him for his outstanding service as head coach of the Irish senior men’s team over the last six years, giving us so many wonderful moments – from the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries title, to wins in FIBA EuroBasket and FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers, guiding the team as we stepped up to compete against Europe’s best.

🗣️ "A lot of great memories."

Mark Keenan reflecting on his six years as coach of the Ireland men's programme!

Catch the full chat on the Basketball Ireland YouTube channel shortly.

📺https://t.co/ZbJECkh741#Greenmeansgo ☘️ | #IrishBasketball pic.twitter.com/mMWa5x3MQd

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) April 24, 2025

She added, “He has also served as assistant coach to the senior team for four years under Jay Larranga and Greg Gurr and had four years as Ireland’s U20 head coach – his dedication to and impact on Irish international basketball is without question, not to mention the multiple trophies he’s won at club level. We wish him the very best for the future, I’m sure he will bring success to wherever he decides to go next.”

"I'd also like to thank Mark's staff - Adrian Fulton, Lawrence Summers Mike Hickey, Andrew Lane, Igor Markiewicz and Paul Daly - who've been with Mark every step of the way, adding their expertise and leadership.”

Mark Keenan during Ireland's FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifier against Kosovo at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin. 

Basketball Ireland CEO, John Feehan, said: “Mark Keenan has given so much to Irish international basketball. As a player he won the FIBA Promotions Cup in 1994 and then 25 years later he was head coach as the team lifted the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, a remarkable feat! Having someone of such experience and high regard as head coach of senior men’s team was crucial as we embarked on our return to FIBA EuroBasket and our first FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying campaign. Mark and his staff - Adrian Fulton, Lawrence Summers and Mike Hickey, Andrew Lane, Igor Markiewicz and Paul Daly - have provided Irish basketball so many happy moments and I’d like to thank them all for their tireless work over the last six years.”

Ireland men’s captain, Sean Flood, also hailed Keenan's impact, "I've known Mark since coming through at underage level with Templeogue. I've had some of my best moments on a basketball court with him, the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries title and our qualifier wins in FIBA EuroBasket and FIBA Basketball World Cup - particularly those at a packed National Basketball Arena. He also bestowed on me the honour of captaining my country, something I am immensely proud of. He and the rest of the staff - Adrian, Puff, Mike, Andrew, Igor and Paul- will be missed by the squad, but they should be proud of what we've achieved together. We, as players, will look to build on that success."

The recruitment process to appoint a new Ireland men’s head coach will be announced by the Elite Performance Committee (EPC) in due course.

---

Mark Keenan Statement

After a recent meeting with Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan and Deirdre Brennan, Chairperson of the EPC, I have agreed that the time has come to pass on the torch to the next head coach. 

I would like to sincerely thank each and every one of my players for their dedication, commitment and performances over the last six years for the Irish team.  

To our team captain Seán Flood and vice-captain Jordan Blount, thank you for your leadership on and off the court. I would also like to thank our previous captains Jason Killeen, Kyle Hosford and John Carroll. 

A huge thank you to our families and friends for their sacrifices and support over the last six years. The team couldn’t have done it without your support.  

Many thanks to all the Basketball Ireland professional staff and volunteers for your hard work and dedication. We really appreciate it.  

A massive thank you to all the supporters who came to our home and away games. The atmosphere that you created in the National Basketball Arena will live long in my memory.  A huge thank you also to those who sponsored the team during these years. 

It has been an honour and privilege being the head coach of this superb team. We can look back with pride and joy on some memorable wins. We did it together.  

I am extremely proud that the Irish senior men’s team is in a much better place than when I took it over. We set a new standard by winning the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in 2021 and by competing at the next European level over the last four years.

I am confident that my staff and I have built a team that will go on to experience further success in the years to come. 

A huge thanks to my staff, Adrian Fulton, Puff Summers, Mike Hickey, Andrew Lane, Igor Markiewicz and Paul Daly for everything that you’ve done for the team. Through our commitment, hard work and loyal dedication, the trajectory of the Irish team is heading in the right direction for future success. 

We have had an amazing six years. Thank you all and best wishes to all our players and I wish them every success in their future careers. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they accomplish next.