International

Mar 29 2022

Ireland U16 Women's squad named for Home Nations

Ireland U16 women’s head coach Andy Gill has named his 16-person squad ahead of the Home Nations in Scotland in May. The tournament takes place in Dundee from May 6^th-8^th and will see Ireland take on Scotland, England and Wales.

There are four players each from Liffey Celtics and Meteors chosen in the squad. The Liffey Celtics contingent is Kelly Bracken, Ciara Brogan, Ciara Boyce and Shauna Curran. The four Meteors players selected are Freya Blennerhassett, Helena Keane, Aisling Moran and Grace Prenter. Curran, Moran and Fr. Mathews point guard Rachel Bowdren are the only three players in the squad who’ve been previously capped, the trio played five times at last summer’s FIBA U16 Women’s European Challengers in Slovakia.

 Fr. Mathews player Rachel Bowdren in action for Ireland at the FIBA U16 Women's Challengers in Slovakia in 2021

Poland-based Karolina Gierszal is included, the 15-year-old point guard who plays for MUK Bydgoszcz, was born in Ireland. The other players selected are guards Leah McMahon (St Paul’s), Emma Tolan (East Cavan Eagles) and Ava Walshe (Douglas Panthers), along with forwards Shannon Quigley (Portlaoise Panthers), Nina Stijacic (Limerick Celtics) and Caoimhe Gilligan (Dublin Lions).

“It is never an easy time when selection comes around, but is a necessary part of the process. I would like to commend all the players in this new squad and those not selected on their fantastic attitude, work rate and coachability. We will be preparing in earnest, over the next six weeks, for a Home Nations tournament in Scotland, where these players will be truly tested and final selection will be made.” - Andy Gill, Ireland U16 women's head coach

 Ireland U16 Women's head coach Andy Gill speaks with players at a recent training session at the National Basketball Arena

Ireland’s U16 women will be competing in the FIBA U16 European Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia from August 19^th-27^th.

Ireland U16 Women’s Squad:

Freya Blennerhassett (Meteors), Kelly Bracken (Liffey Celtics), Ciara Brogan (Liffey Celtics), Ciara Boyce (Liffey Celtics), Rachel Bowdren (Fr. Mathews), Shauna Curran (Liffey Celtics), Karolina Gierszal (MUK Bydgoszcz), Caoimhe Gilligan (Dublin Lions), Helena Keane (Meteors), Leah McMahon (St. Paul’s), Aisling Moran (Meteors), Grace Prenter (Meteors), Shannon Quigley (Portlaoise Panthers), Nina Stijacic (Limerick Celtics), Emma Tolan (East Cavan Eagles), Ava Walshe (Douglas Panthers)

Squad Details:

First name	Surname	D.O. B.	Age	Height	Club	School	Position	International caps
Freya	Blennerhassett	6/3/2006	15	5’ 11’’	Meteors	Colaiste Iosagain	Guard
Kelly	Bracken	31/3/2006	15	5’ 5’’	Liffey Celtics	Colaiste Chiarain	Point Guard
Ciara	Brogan	16/10/2007	14	5’ 11’’	Liffey Celtics	St Dominics	Forward
Clara	Boyce	3/3/2006	15	6’	Liffey Celtics	Colaiste Chiarain	Forward
Rachel	Bowdren	2/1/2006	15	5’ 6’’	Fr. Mathews	Christ King	Point Guard	5
Shauna	Curran	2/2/2006	15	5’ 11’’	Liffey Celtics	Celbride Community School	Guard	5
Karolina	Gierszal	24/4/2006	15	5’ 8’’	MUK Bydgoszcz	High School IX, Bydgoszcz	Point Guard
Caoimhe	Gilligan	7/10/2006	15	6’	Dublin Lions	Colaiste Brid	Forward
Helena	Keane	18/12/2007	14	5’ 11’’	Meteors	The Teresian	Forward
Leah	McMahon	6/2/2006	15	5’ 5’’	St Paul’s	St Brigids	Guard
Aisling	Moran	23/11/2006	14	5’ 5’’	Meteors	Colaiste Iosagain	Guard	5
Grace	Prenter	12/5/2006	15	5’ 7’’	Meteors	Mount Anville	Point Guard
Shannon	Quigley	25/10/2006	15	5’ 11’’	Portlaoise Panthers	Scoil Chroist ri	Forward
Nina	Stijacic	6/10/2006	15	5’ 10’’	Limerick Celtics	St Flannans College	Forward
Emma	Tolan	23/3/2006	15	5’ 10’’	East Cavan Eagles	Virginia College	Guard
Ava	Walshe	21/7/2006	15	5’ 9’’	Douglas Panthers	Regina Mundi	Guard