Ireland U18 men defeated 95-61 by Hungary in FIBA Challengers

U18 men's team opening fixture

Ireland’s U18 men’s team lost 95-61 to Hungary in their opening fixture of the FIBA U18 European Challengers.

Killian Gribben, who is due to move Stateside in September, had an energetic performance on his international debut for Ireland. The Letterkenny Blaze and LYIT Donegal player finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and three blocks. Belfast Star’s Darragh Ferguson top scored with 16 points.

There were also international debuts for Joseph Coughlan (Galway Titans), Ruairi Cronin (Limerick Celtics), Ajay Ryan-Walsh (Limerick Lions) and Cillian O’Connell (Ballincollig Basketball Club).

Ireland’s opening points came via a Ferguson driving layup in the second minute. Ireland’s other points in the first quarter came from a driving layup by Ajay Ryan-Walsh (2), a driving layup and a free throw from Jack O’Leary (3) and finished off with a Gribben layup (2) in the final 10 seconds of the quarter, however Hungary led 20-9.

Ireland trailed 48-23 by the half-time break, leaving them with a difficult task. But Paul Kelleher’s team certainly tested Hungary in the final two quarters and will take great encouragement going into their next game of the tournament against Bulgaria on Thursday evening.

Quarter Score:
Q1 20-9, Q2 28-14, Q3 23-19, Q4 24-19.

Ireland: Reece Barry (2), Wede Esajobor, Darragh Ferguson (16), Killian Gribben (10), Tim Pollmann-Daamen, Joseph Coughlan (2), Ruairi Cronin (7), Cillian O’Connell, (8) Jack O’Leary (), Michael O’Mahony (DNP), Sean Pollmann-Daamen (6), Ajay Ryan Walsh (4)

Hungary: Peter Csendes, Martin Kalassai (11), Adam Kelemen (6), Robert Vilmos Meszlenyi (9), Mark Paar (19), Balazs Banfi (2), Kornel Csuti (4), Zeteny Peter Dunai (11), Milan Ivkovic (8), Barna Toth (18), Adam Varszegi (3), Adam Vamos (4)