International

Aug 22 2022

Scintillating shooting performance as Ireland record huge win at FIBA European Championship

A scintillating shooting performance from Ireland U16 women has seen Andy Gill’s side claim their first win at the FIBA European Championship tonight, 94-40 over North Macedonia in Podgorica.

The Irish coaching staff will have targeted this as a possible win after watching the opening sequence of games and their players did not disappoint with the favourites tag. They outperformed North Macedonia in every facet of the game from the outset. The opening quarter proved a microcosm of the game, as Ireland recorded a whopping 14-points of their 22-point total from turnovers.

The first two games have been notable in how every player has had considerable time on the court and this proved to be no different. Each player had seen at least 3-minutes of action by the early stages of the second quarter and all were making their own mark on the contest. Caoimhe Gilligan led the way individually with 8-points, while Emma Tolan was all over the court. The Cavan star grabbed five boards against a physically strong opposing five.

The superiority of this Irish side became even more evident as time progressed. North Macedonia resorted to ill-discipline and Ireland punished them from the free-throw line at a steady rate. As the confidence began to flow, it then started raining threes. First it was Tolan, then Bracken. By the end of the half Grace Prenter and Rachel Bowdren had added two more and Ireland’s lead was a commanding 26-points.

At this point the second half was arbitrary and it was about guarding against complacency. The sharp turnaround to the now make or break tie with Serbia will have been on the mind of Andy Gill and crew on the sideline. Encompassing the delay to tonight’s tip off, it will be around 19 hours before the girls will be back on the court again, facing a team who are currently undefeated in the tournament.

With their tails up, the Irish team looked unstoppable on the fast break. Liffey Celtics’ Kelly Bracken putting her pace to superb use time and again when given the opportunity, racking up 22-points on more than 58% shooting from the field and ending up and incredible +30 on the night. She wasn’t alone though. Late in the third, Emma Tolan had grabbed herself a second double-double of the tournament. 11-points and 11-rebounds in a display that will have her newly formed MissQuote.ie Division One East Cavan Eagles coaching team watching on with excitement.

The final quarter saw Ireland finish with aplomb. They kept the intensity of their performance right to the end and will now have real momentum going into their final group game tomorrow evening. Have no doubt that this will be their toughest test to date. But they couldn’t be going into the game in better shape mentally after a morale boosting win.