Basketball Ireland announce coaching staff for U14 and U15 Four Nations

Basketball Ireland has appointed Gareth Winders (U14 Boys), Jenn Dinan (U14 Girls), Gareth O' Reilly (U15 Boys) and Elaine Scally (U15 Girls) to lead our respective academy programmes at the Four Nations tournaments in June and July. 

The Four Nations tournament comprises of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales and has previously been contested at U16 and U18 level. Basketball Ireland hosted the U16 grade in both 2023 and 2024 at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin, with both the boys and girls reaching the final against England in consecutive years, including capturing the U16 boys crown three years ago. This is the second time it will be played at U14 and U15 level, following a successful debut tournament last year.

The National Basketball Arena will play host once more, as we welcome the participants of the U15 Four Nations on the 27/28th of June. The U14 Four Nations will be held simultaneously in Cardiff on the 26/27/28th of June. 

Ireland U14 Girls head coach Jenn Dinan (U14 South) steps up from her role as Elaine Scally's assistant coach with this age group a year ago. The team excelled last year beating Wales and Scotland, before losing out to England. Dinan is an experienced academy coach in the South region and will be assisted by Sylvia McDonagh (U15 Connacht) and Conor Farrington (U14 East North). 

The Ireland U14 Boys programme will be led by Gareth Winders, who most recently acted as head coach for Griffith College Éanna in the Domino's Men's Super League. Winders (U14 East North) was also an assistant coach with this age group a year ago and will have Pat Curran (U14 South) and Dave Barry (U14 South West) on the bench with him.

Two head coaches return for a second tournament in succession - Elaine Scally (U15 Dublin) takes charge of the U15 Girls programme, continuing her excellent work with the group at U14 level a season ago.  She will be assisted by Niall O'Connell (U15 Munster and Sam McEntee (U15 Leinster). Gareth O'Reilly (U15 Dublin) also returns to his role as U15 Boys head coach after enjoying a successful 2-1 finish at this tournament last year. Jake Tiernan (U15 Connacht) and Sheena Moran (U15 Leinster) will be his assistant coaches. 

The boy's U14 and U15 squad will be announced later this evening, while the U14 and U15 girl's rosters will be confirmed on Thursday, May 28th.