International

Aug 02 2024

Ireland women’s team edged 69-66 by Denmark in friendly

Ireland’s women’s team fell to a narrow 69-66 defeat against Denmark in a closely fought international friendly at the National Basketball Arena on Friday. Ireland, who led by 10 at one stage in the game, clawed back an eight point deficit at the start of the fourth to put them in contention for victory, but it wasn’t to be for James Weldon’s side.

Captain Claire Melia registered 19 points, alongside 14 rebounds and four steals, while Bridget Herlihy was also among those to impress, with 16 points, eight rebounds and a pair of assists and turovers.

Denmark opened the game with a five point run, before Ireland drew level at 7-7 following Enya Maguire’s three point jump shot, three minutes in. A Herlihy layup and a corner three from Sorcha Tienran had Ireland 12-7 up with four minutes gone, prompting a Denmark timeout call. By the midpoint of the quarter a Melia layup had Ireland 17-9 ahead.

Melia, who will be playing with Spanish club Uni Ferrol next season, landed from the three point line to give Ireland a 22-13 advantage, with a little over two minutes to go. Denmark would reduce the deficit to 22-17 by the end of the first quarter.

Denmark continued to make inroads and Maria Jespersen’s free throw had the away side marginally ahead, 24-23, with three minutes gone in the second quarter. But Ireland wrestled back control, Herlihy, who missed Ireland’s friendlies with Uganda last month due to illness, reeled off back-to-back threes to put Ireland back in command, at 31-24, with a little over four minutes to go in the quarter, Herlihy’s tally now at 10.

Back to back Bridget Herlihy buckets on https://t.co/HqBGMOAjRW 📺

Q2 | 2:09
🇮🇪36-30🇩🇰#Greenmeansgo ☘️ | #IrishBasketball pic.twitter.com/yTbTDyOwV9
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 2, 2024

Tiernan landed her second from the three point line, to make it a 10-point game, 36-26, with less than three remaining. Again Denmark reeled Ireland in, a driving layup by Ena Viso reduced the deficit to two points, Ireland 36-34 in front at half-time.

The third quarter was tight in the opening exchanges, Ella O’Donnell’s layup had Ireland 46-44 ahead midway through. With three and a half minutes to go Denmark hit the front, 51-50, following Malene Lind Pedersen’s three, which sparked a 10-point run and the Danes led 58-50 by the end of the third.

Ireland responded with a 10-point run of their own to kickstart the fourth, Herlihy and Melia to the fore. Herlihy landed a pair of layups, while Melia slotted a layup, a jump shot and two free throws to bring her tally to 19 points and Ireland led 60-58 with four and a half minutes gone. A Maria Jespersen three – who finished with a game-high 23 points - nudged Denmark in front 61-60 at the midpoint and the away side would build a five point lead, 65-60 not long afterwards.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Basketball Ireland (@basketball_ireland)

A pair of Herlihy free throws snapped Denmark’s scoring run, Lauryn Homan’s jump shot followed and Ireland trailed by a point with minute to go. Two Jespersen free throws stretched Denmark’s lead to three, 67-64, with 20.2 seconds to go. Michelle Clarke’s two and Ireland were 67-66 behind with 6.9 seconds remaining. Denmark closed out the game with two Sofie Tryggedsson free throws, to claim a 69-66 victory.

Speaking afterwards Ireland head coach, James Weldon, said: “Yeah look, it was a good performance and it was unfortunate that we came out the wrong side of a very tight game. They are what 30 places ahead of us in the world rankings, they played Greece in Greece a couple of weeks ago. Lots to build on, it was frustrating that we couldn’t close it out, we had a couple of opportunities to close them out, but look we have to regroup. We play against Netherlands tomorrow, they are going to come in fresh, we have to get our recovery right tonight. All the girls gave 100 per cent, did Ireland proud, the win will come, if we keep playing like that, the win will come.”

Ireland’s women take on the Netherlands at 4pm on Saturday, 3rd August, at the National Basketball Arena, with tickets available to purchase here.

Quarter Scores:

Q1: 22-17, Q2: 14-17 Q3: 14-24, Q4: 16-11

Game Scores:

Q1: 22-17, Q2: 36-34, Q3: 50-58, Q4: 66-69

Ireland:

Michelle Clarke (6), Ella O'Donnell (2), Sarah Hickey (0), Kate Hickey (5), Lauryn Homan (2), Claire Melia (19), Bridget Herlihy (16), Sarah Kenny (DNP), Enya Maguire (7), Sorcha Tiernan (9), Amy Dooley (DNP), Gandy Mamel Malou (0).

Denmark:

Sofie Tryggedsson (2), Elisabeth Brynaa (1), Ena Viso (2), Maria Jespersen (23), Lena Svanholm (4), Malene Lind Pederson (3), Nikoline Sandbäck (11), Olivia Lutterodt (0), Annemie Friis Espensen (0), Katrine Jessen (0), Julianna Okosun (12), Sarah Mortensen (11).

Bank Holiday Basketball Results:

Friday 2nd August

Women’s International Friendly

Ireland 69-66 Denmark

Bank Holiday Basketball Fixtures:

Friday 2nd August

Men’s International Friendly

Ireland v Denmark, National Basketball Arena, 8pm

Saturday 3rd August

Women’s International Friendly

Ireland v Netherlands, National Basketball Arena, 4pm

Men’s International Friendly