PREVIEW: Ireland U20 women's squad set for FIBA Women's European Championship in Hungary

Karl Kilbride and his final squad of 12 have made their way to Hungary for the challenge of the FIBA U20 Division A European Championship, which will be taking place from the 8th of July until the 16th.

The Ireland team is a melange of youth and experience and will be taking part in Group D, alongside Serbia, Portugal and Latvia, following some preparation games such as the series against Great Britain, which Ireland ended up winning on a 2-1 scoreline.

All games will be live to watch on the FIBA YouTube channel.

 Coach Karl Kilbride

Speaking ahead of the campaign, head coach Karl Kilbride had this to say:

“It’s been a really challenging lead-up period, getting ready for Euros, with everything taking place right in the middle of college exams and then the leaving cert. But we’ve been so impressed with the dedication and flexibility the girls have shown, to make themselves available and give us the best possible preparation and lead in. We obviously know the mammoth task ahead of us, and we know the general sentiment is that we’re huge underdogs going in. It’s Irelands first ever time in the U20A European Championship and we’re pitting ourselves against the absolute best of the best."

But everyone involved with the team knows that we’re not here to make up the numbers. We’re here to make a point, and we’re here to win games. Anything less than that will be a big disappointment for us. The fact that the team have that mentality and that mindset, and are going in with that confidence, is a great example of the really exciting position Irish basketball is currently in. We’re all incredibly proud to be here and excited for what’s to come. The hard work of preparation is done. All that’s left to do now is to go out and execute on the floor.”

Up first on Friday at 14:15, it is Portugal who stand between Ireland and a win in their first group stage game, followed by Serbia and Latvia on the following days. 

Ireland are currently ranked #47 in the rankings, with Portugal #37, Serbia #27 and Latvia #16. The group games will determine the seeding of the team going forward, with the outcome of the round of 16 game an important one, as that will either send the team into the quarter-final of the main competition or a quarter-final of a competition of all the teams who were defeated at that stage. 

The round of 16 phase gets underway on Tuesday. 

 Captain Erin Maguire

Erin Maguire, who is one of three players based in the United States on NCAA D1 scholarships next year, has been given the responsibility of captaining the side, while she is set to play in her fifth FIBA Youth European Championship, when Ireland take to the court in Hungary.

WIT Waterford Wildcats sisters Sarah and Kate Hickey are included. 18-year-old Sarah, who was recently named MissQuote.ie Super League Young Player of the Year, faces a busy summer, as she is also part of the Ireland U18 set-up. While sister Kate, has been named vice-captain of the team.

☘️ Ahead of the U20 @FIBA European Championships and tonight’s game against @gbbasketball, Erin Maguire and Kate Hickey were named as captain and vice-captain for the team. #TeamIreland • #GreenShoots🔋 pic.twitter.com/zi48SnYu7g

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) June 24, 2022

Five of the squad who featured in the FIBA U18 Women's European Challengers last year make the step up in grade, including NUIG Mystics duo Hazel Finn and Kara McCleane, Sarah Hickey, Sinead Keane (Trinity Meteors) and Ella O'Donnell (Quinnipac University). That tournament included a notable 87-64 win over Hungary.

Singleton SuperValu Brunell's Lauryn Homan is in line to make her FIBA European Championship debut, having previously featured in friendlies at U16 and U17 level.

Portlaoise Panthers have two representatives in the squad - Ciara Byrne and Lisa Blaney.

FIBA U20 Women's European Division A Championship 2022 - Group D

 Portugal v Ireland   

 Friday 8th July 2022, Time: 14:15, Venue: Sopron, Hungary, Novomatic Arena II

 Saturday 9th July, Time: 16:30, Venue: Sopron, Hungary, Novomatic Arena II

 Sunday 10th July,  Time: 14:45,  Venue: Sopron, Hungary, Novomatic Arena 

☘️ 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐧

Well done to the U20 women’s team who beat Great Britain 101-90, winning the series 2-1 after losing the first game.

Now onto the European Championships. 🤝@missquoteie | #TeamIreland | #GreenShoots 🔋 pic.twitter.com/6ZIh2s7ZhR

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) June 26, 2022

Ireland U20 Women's Squad: 

Abigail Rafferty (Ulster University), Ciara Byrne (Portlaoise Panthers), Ella O'Donnell (Quinnipiac University), Erin Maguire (Houston Baptist University), Hazel Finn (NUIG Mystics), Kara McCleane (NUIG Mystics), Katie Hickey (WIT Waterford Wildcats), Sarah Hickey (WIT Waterford Wildcats), Lauryn Homan (Singleton SuperValu Brunell), Lisa Blaney (Portlaoise Panthers), Sinead Keane (Trinity Meteors).