Ireland U18 WNT coach selects squad of 18 as FIBA Youth EuroBasket preparations continue

Ireland U18 WNT head coach Ian Lynch has selected a squad of 18 as he continues preparations for this summer's FIBA Youth EuroBasket. 

The squad contains six players who will feature in the U18 Women's National Cup Final at the National Basketball Arena a week on Saturday. Jean Ahern, Francesca Kyamagero and Abbie Lyons of Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell will face off against Limerick Celtics' Laura Buckley, Madelyn Hartigan and Meabh Purtil for the top honours in the country. 

Kyamagero, Purtill and Lyons join Aoibheann Donnelly and Naomi Farrington as five players who featured in the squad a year ago. A further five players who featured in FIBA Youth EuroBasket U16 level, Buckley, Ahern, Madelyn Hartigan and Amy Elliot continue to make the grade, while Kilkenny Stars Caoimhe Timmons is also included following a huge personal performance in their defeat to Brunell at the semi-final stages of the National Cup. 

The squad contains players from Cork, Dublin, Limerick Antrim, Kerry and Kilkenny. 

“The team is progressing well, and good progress has been made," said Lynch. "These decisions are never easy, given the high level of talent across the group. We sincerely thank all players who were not selected on this occasion for their time, effort, and commitment."

Ireland Squad:

Jean Ahern (Brunell BC), Katie Behan (Templeogue BC), Éabha Booth (Templeogue BC), Laura Buckely (Limerick Celtics), Aoibheann Donnelly (Belfast Star), Amy Elliot (Killester BC), Naomi Farrington (Tolka Rovers), Madelyn Hartigan (Limerick Celtics), Francesca Kyamagero (Brunell BC), Abbie Lyons (Brunell BC), Grace Miley (Templeogue BC), Julie O’Connor (St. Marys Castleisland), Aimee O’Reilly (Kilkenny Stars), Meabh Purtill (Limerick Celtics), Kaitlyn Summers (Meteors), Caoimhe Timmons (Kilkenny Stars), Udochukwu Uzor (Tolka Rovers), Lucy Walsh (Glanmire BC).