International

Nov 14 2025

Weldon calls up Murphy to Ireland squad for FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers

Ireland head coach James Weldon has been forced to make one change to his squad for the remaining two games of the November window in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers.

UCC Glanmire’s Annaliese Murphy has been called up, as Kate Hickey has been unable to recover from an injury which forced her to remain on the bench during Wednesday’s 69-53 defeat against Luxembourg.

Murphy, who made her Ireland debut in 2022, played twice in the last FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Qualifiers campaign. She was also in the Ireland team which picked up two friendly wins against Norway last July.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which tips off at 1925 at the National Basketball Arena, Ireland head coach James Weldon said: “Naturally it’s disappointing to lose someone like Kate to injury, but we always knew that changes would more than likely be required in the new three-game format for each FIBA Women’s EuroBasket window. Annaliese is an experienced player and is familiar with the set-up, so she’ll slot right in.

Weldon added: “The game against Luxembourg didn’t go as we’d planned, but we’ve taken positives out of the way we finished the game. Our focus has swiftly turned to Bosnia and Herzegovina, they will be looking for their opening win of the campaign too. It will be a difficult test, as they’re the top-ranked side in our group, with some quality players, but we’re focused on ourselves and have had some good preparation time with the girls. We’re looking forward to getting back on the floor on Saturday in front of a packed National Basketball Arena, our fans always give us a massive lift and we’ll be targeting a win.”

Saturday’s game against Bosnia and Herzegovina is live on TG4 and tickets for the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifier can be purchased here.

Ireland also face Israel in Riga, Latvia on Tuesday in their final game of the November window.

Editor’s Note:

The winners and runners up from each of the seven groups qualify for the second round of FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, along with the three best-ranked third-placed teams.

Ireland women’s squad

Hazel Finn (Trinity Meteors), Edel Thornton (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell) Sorcha Tiernan (FloMAX Liffey Celtics), Abigail Rafferty (GDESSA-Barreiro, Portugal), Bridget Herlihy (unattached), Bronagh Power-Cassidy (Villanova Wildcats), Enya Maguire (HGB Horbisa Greenkw Barakaldo, Spain), Lorraine Scanlon (Utility Trust St. Paul’s), Claire Melia (BAXI Ferrol, Spain), Michelle Clarke (Killester), Sarah Hickey (SETU Waterford Wildcats), Annaliese Murphy (UCC Glanmire)

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers Result

Wednesday 12^th November, 2025

Ireland 53-69 Luxembourg

FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers Fixtures

Saturday 15^th November, 2025

Ireland v Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1925, National Basketball Arena, Live on TG4

Tuesday 18^th November, 2025

Israel v Ireland, 1800, Komandas Sporta Spelu Halle, Riga, Latvia

Wednesday 11^th March, 2026

Luxembourg v Ireland, venue/time tbc

Saturday 14^th March, 2026

Bosnia and Herzegovina v Ireland, venue/time tbc