Keenan pares down squad to 15 for FIBA EuroBasket game against Croatia

Ireland head coach Mark Keenan has pared down his squad to 15 for Wednesday’s FIBA EuroBasket game with Croatia in Opatija. The squad will fly out on Monday evening. There are three possible international debutants, the USA-based pair of 7ft Neal Quinn (University of Richmond) and Sam Alajiki (Rice University), along with Conor O’Sullivan (Ulster University). 

Speaking ahead of the game, which will be broadcast on TG4 from 1915, head coach Mark Keenan said: “Our opening game is just two days away and the guys are really excited about pitting their wits against Croatia, who are one of the world’s leading teams. I am very happy with how our squad is shaping up and paring it down to the final 12 will be difficult, as there is great competition for places. We have some new blood introduced, which adds strength and size to the team. Neal Quinn brings great size and composure to the squad, while Sam Alajeki, Conor O’Sullivan, Paul Dick and Matt Treacy all have great energy.”

Paul Dick and Matt Treacy remain on course for their FIBA EuroBasket debuts, while Ireland captain John Carroll is on target to make his long-awaited return to the court, after his ACL injury 13 months ago.

Keenan added: “John is looking in great shape and has put in so much work to get himself ready for these FIBA EuroBasket games. There is huge anticipation ahead of these qualifiers and the squad were delighted to hear our home game against Croatia in two weeks’ time is already sold out, it’s a big boost ahead of this week’s game.”

𝙎𝙌𝙐𝘼𝘿 𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙊𝙐𝙉𝘾𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏 🚨

Ireland squad trimmed to 15 ahead of FIBA EuroBasket game away to 🇭🇷 on Wednesday.

Coverage on @SportTG4 from 7:15pm. Tickets are available for our home game against Luxembourg on https://t.co/MLN7JYFdvs #Greenmeansgo ☘️

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) July 17, 2023

Ireland played two behind closed doors fixtures against Switzerland last week, they lost game 1 86-74 and were defeated by the slenderest of margins in game 2, 77-76, but head coach Keenan took plenty of positives from the two encounters.

“We really needed the first game to get ourselves gelling together and up to international pace. We didn’t play particularly well, but hung in the game for a long period. In game two we played much better and had our chances to win it. Overall, it was a much better team performance and provided very positive signs for our upcoming FIBA EuroBasket fixtures”, he stated.

Ireland begin their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers Round 3 campaign on Wednesday away against Croatia on July 19^th, followed by a trip to Luxembourg seven days later. They finish Group G by hosting Croatia on July 29^th and Luxembourg on August 5^th at the National Basketball Arena. All four games will be broadcast on TG4. Spectator tickets for Ireland’s home fixture with Luxembourg on August 5th can be purchased here. 

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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 15-man squad:

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