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 6th-8th 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 19th-27th.

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