Superb performance from U16 men's team earns 75-55 win over Cyprus in FIBA European Championship

The Ireland U16 men ended their FIBA European Championship campaign with a 75-55 win over Cyprus in their last classification game in Sofia. 

Pat Price’s team got the start they would have been hoping for, being first to the rebounds and shooting efficiently. They didn’t have it all their way in the early exchanges though, Cyprus led by eight before Ireland found their groove, thanks to points from the likes of Luke Seltzer and Cillian O’Connell. The renewed effort earned the team an 18-15 lead, setting the tone for the remainder. 

It was more of the same from the start of the second quarter. Ireland won 14 offensive rebounds, double their opponents, showing their hunger, personified by Joshua Osayanrhion, who ended up with nine rebounds in total. 

Pharrell Osagie and Declan Gbinigie were pivotal to progressing the ball, as the team went in with a seven point lead at the interval. The opponents started the third quarter well, getting to within two points of Ireland at 40-42. However, from that point, Price’s side went on a 12 point scoring run when it was needed most.

The quarter ended with a beauty of a buzzer beater from Tomás Kennedy to give Ireland a 59-47 lead. 

🔥 Tomás Kennedy beats that buzzer!

𝗘𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗤𝟯

CYP 🇨🇾 47-59 🇮🇪 IRL

WATCH: https://t.co/gj2lMcsB8c @TraleeMagicBC | #GreenMeansGo ☘️ pic.twitter.com/YWAbVaKBuK

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 20, 2022

Ireland continued to dominate in the latter stages of the game to secure the win in their final game. Shining light on the day was Fortune Igbokwe, who ended up with a spectacular 17 point tally to go with eight rebounds and five assists.

☘️ 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 #𝗙𝗜𝗕𝗔𝗨𝟭𝟲𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻!

CYP 🇨🇾 55-75 🇮🇪 IRL#FIBAU16Europe | #GreenMeansGo ☘️ pic.twitter.com/7WeTYNNK8i

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 20, 2022

Ireland top three point scorers:

Fortune Igbokwe 17 points, Pharrell Osagie 14 points, Joshua Osayanrhion 12 points

FIBA U16 Men’s European Championship Result:

Cyprus 55-75 Ireland

Ireland Men’s U16 Squad: 

Declan Gbinigie (Titans BC), Darragh Horkan (Limerick Lions), Fortune Igbokwe (BC Taurus), Tomas Kennedy (Tralee Imperials), Conor Mac Críosta (Drogheda Wolves), Jakub Malecki (Drogheda Wolves), Cillian O’Connell (Portlaoise Panthers), Pharrell Osagie (Mallow BC), Joshua Osayanrhion (Tralee Tigers), Harry Scully (Dublin Lions), Luke Seltzer (Templeogue BC), Finn Walsh (Drogheda Wolves).