Walsh and Kilbride re-appointed as Ireland U20 programmes

The Elite Performance Committe (EPC) has reappointed Thomas Walsh and Karl Kilbride as head coaches of the U20 Men’s and Women’s Irish teams respectively, ahead of the 2025/26 international season.

Walsh has been in the role for the last three seasons, leading the team to 7th place at the 2025 FIBA U20 EuroBasket. Speaking on the reappointment, Chairperson of the Elite Performance Committee, Deirdre Brennan, said: “Coach Tommy Walsh is coming off the back of our most successful U20 men’s campaign to date. He has proven that he has the skills and qualities to run a successful programme, inspire and lead our talented young men at FIBA U20 EuroBasket for another three years”.

“I am honoured to be back at the helm for the U20 Men’s Irish Team again. I look forward to getting the recruiting process up and running. We had a great result at Euros last summer making it to the quarter-finals with a 7^th place finish. With the talent moving up, and some of our players currently playing at high levels overseas, I think we can put a strong team together and hope for another great run at FIBA U20 EuroBasket in 2026”. -Thomas Walsh, Ireland U20 Men’s head coach

Karl Kilbride also returns at the helm of the U20 Women’s team for three more years, having already spent four years in the role. EPC Chairperson, Deirdre Brennan, stated “We: are delighted to appoint Karl Kilbride for another three years as U20 women’s head coach. He has led our young women to three back-to-back top-8 placings at this age group and we are confident he has the ability and experience to continue to provide the leadership required to get positive results.”

“Incredibly excited for the opportunity once again. Representing your country is the greatest honour and the goosebumps never really fade. We have qualified for the top-8 three years in a row now and I felt like we left some results behind us each time. We have four players returning from last year and with an incredibly talented group moving up from U18, our goal is to be consistently pushing for medals and promotion. And while it is a lofty and ambitious target, it is one that is absolutely achievable and I can’t wait to get started with the process” - Karl Kilbride, Ireland U20 Women head coach