'We're not here to make up the numbers,' says Ireland head coach Mark Keenan

Ireland head coach Mark Keenan insists his team ‘aren’t here to make up the numbers’ as they continue preparations for a FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifier against Croatia in Opatija tonight.

The contest against the world number 25 tips-off at 19:00 Irish time, with deferred coverage on TG4 from 19:15.

‘We want to compete and get after that victory,’ said Keenan. ‘We know a win for us is an upset, but this is sport and who knows what can happen. We’ve other games coming up quickly but right now this is all about tomorrow. All about Croatia and obtaining the best result we can get,’ he added.

Ireland welcome two potential international debutants into the squad. 20-year-old Sam Alajiki graduates from the U20 programme, while 7ft centre Neal Quinn enters the fold after impressing with the University of Richmond in the USA. Killester’s Paul Dick and Matt Treacy from Moy Tolka Rovers are also in line for a first appearance in FIBA EuroBasket qualification following strong domestic campaigns.

Tomorrow will also mark the return of team captain John Carroll from a year long absence. Carroll picked up an ACL injury ahead of the previous FIBA EuroBasket window in June 2022 and Keenan believes it’s another timely boost. ‘We haven’t made him team captain for no reason,’ he said. ‘John is hugely important for us, so it’s great to get him back after 12 months away and he’s coming on with every session.

Cluichí cáilithe Eurobasket 2025 🏀

The first of three European qualifiers, live on @TG4TV ☘️

📆 Dé Céadaoin / Wednesday
⏰ 19:15
🇭🇷 an Chróit v Éire 🇮🇪 @BballIrl #Greenmeansgo #EuroBasketpic.twitter.com/3EvLj9eU58

— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) July 18, 2023

Ireland trained this morning at the venue in Opatija near the Italian border ahead of the opening game in the third round of FIBA EuroBasket 2025 pre-qualifying. They took part in two behind closed doors games with Switzerland in Geneva last weekend in preparation, coming out the wrong side of the score line in both, 84-76 and 77-76 but head coach Keenan believes those tune up games will go a long way towards helping his side be ready for the task ahead.

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Ireland FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers Round 3

Group G fixtures:

July 19th

Croatia v Ireland, 1900, Opatija (Full deferred coverage at 1915 on TG4)

July 26th

Luxembourg v Ireland, 1915,  Centre National Sportif & Culturel d'Coque, Luxembourg (Live on TG4)

July 29th

Ireland v Croatia, 1430, National Basketball Arena (Live on TG4)

August 5^th

Ireland v Luxembourg, 1930, National Basketball Arena (Live on TG4)

Ireland 12-man squad:

John Carroll (unattached), Sean Flood (unattached), CJ Fulton (Charleston, USA), Conor Quinn (Belfast Star), Lorcan Murphy (Templeogue), Paul Dick (Killester), Sam Alajiki (Rice University, USA), Taiwo Badmus (Saudarkrokur Tindastoll, Iceland), Matt Treacy (Moy Tolka Rovers), Jordan Blount (Neptune), Aidan Harris Igiehon (Abilene Christian Men’s Basketball, USA), Neal Quinn (University of Richmond)