Sean Flood confirmed as Ireland men’s captain ahead of FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers

New Ireland men’s head coach Michael Bree has confirmed that Sean Flood will continue as captain of the side, ahead of the start of the teams FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers campaign.

Flood took over as Ireland captain in June 2022 for the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers, following an injury to John Carroll. Flood remained in the role for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Pre-Qualiifers, helping guide Ireland to three wins, including two victories over upcoming Group A opponents Azerbaijan.

Ireland’s first game of the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers is away against Luxembourg on Thursday, followed by a home game against Group A top seeds North Macedonia on Sunday at the National Basketball Arena.

Speaking about the appointment of Flood as captain, head coach Michael Bree said: “Sean has done an exceptional job as Ireland captain for the last two qualifying campaigns, so he was a natural choice. Sean is an experienced player, he leads by example on and off the court and he will help drive the standards we want to set as a team.”, Bree stated.

Sean Flood added: “It’s the ultimate honour to captain my country and I’m extremely grateful to Mike for bestowing this privilege on me. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to lead this great group of players once more in the FIBA EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers. It’s a really exciting time in Irish basketball and I am really looking forward to working with Mike and his staff, as we continue the progress we’ve made over the last two qualifying campaigns. I really think we can make further strides and we’ll be looking to hit the ground running in this week’s qualifiers against Luxembourg and North Macedonia. 

Ireland are Group A in the first round of FIBA Basketball 2029 Pre-Qualifiers, alongside North Macedonia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan. Ireland’s fixtures will take place over three windows, November, February/March and July.

The three group winners and the best-ranked second-placed team will advance to the second round of FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers, where they will be joined by eight teams from the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers First Round.

Tickets for Ireland’s FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifier against North Macedonia on Sunday 30^th November can be purchased here.

Ireland men’s squad

Jordan Blount (Flexachem KCYMS), Rapolas Buivydas (Belfast Star), Sean Jenkins (Griffith College Éanna), Taiwo Badmus (Tindastoll Korfubolti, Iceland) Sean Flood (unattached), John Carroll (EJ Sligo All-Stars), Matt Treacy (Snaefell Basketball, Iceland), Sam Alajiki (Hapoel Galil Elion, Israel), Max Amadasun (Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa Baloncesto, Spain), Matt Zona (Cheshire Phoenix, UK), Neal Quinn (BCM Gravelines Dunkerque, France), Adrian O’Sullivan (Ballincollig)

FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers Fixtures

Thursday 27^th November

Luxembourg v Ireland 1830, Centre National Sportif & Culturel d'Coque, Live on TG4 Player and App

Sunday 30^th November, 2025

Ireland v North Macedona, 1700, National Basketball Arena, Live on TG4

Friday 27^th February, 2026

Ireland v Azebaijan, Time TBC, National Basketball Arena

Monday 2^nd March, 2026

Ireland v Luxembourg, Time TBC, National Basketball Arena

Thursday 2^nd July, 2026

Luxembourg v Ireland, Venue/Time TBC 

Sunday 5^th July, 2026

Azerbaijan v Ireland, Venue/Time TBC