Ireland U16 women’s head coach Laura Mullally has named her final 12-person squad ahead of the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship, which takes place in Montenegro from 10-19 August this year.
Among the final 12-person squad are Kilkenny Stars duo Kaitlyn Summers and Faye McDonnell who has been named as co-captain. Liffey Celtics forward Ciara Brogan arrives with previous FIBA European Championship experience having played seven times at last seasons’s tournament. There are four representatives from Dublin-based Meteors – Andrea Chrislyn Jude, Kira Lynch, Ríodhna McGrath and Helena Keane. Keane is named as co-captain alongside McDonnell
There is one American-based player, Sidney Quinn, who plays for Gill St. Bernard’s in New Jersey. Also included are Aoibheann Donnelly (Belfast Star), Francesca Kyamagero (Cobh), Sophie Staunton (Oblate) and Úna O’Brien (Tullamore).
Ireland’s U16 women, who finished second in the Four Nations last month, will face Sweden, Bulgaria and Montenegro in their FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship group.
“We have had an incredible journey together, every young lady during her time with the extended squad contributed to our betterment and improvement as a programme”, says Mullally of the squad announcement.
“It is of course the most difficult part of the job to make team selections – at this point we are splitting hairs. However, our staff is excited for the potential of this group of young ladies. The women are stepping up as leaders and as basketball players, showing a continued commitment to being dedicated to individually and collectively achieving our goals. We know we have a big task at hand in continuing our preparation for the FIBA European Championship, but we are excited to work.”
Ireland U16 Women’s squad
Andrea Chrislyn Jude (Meteors) Aoibheann Donnelly (Belfast Star), Ciara Brogan (Liffey Celtics), Faye McDonnell (Kilkenny Stars), Francesca Kyamagero (Cobh), Helena Keane (Meteors), Kaitlyn Summers (Kilkenny Stars), Kira Lynch (Meteors), Ríodhna McGrath (Meteors), Sidney Quinn (Gill St Bernard’s, New Jersey), Sophie Staunton (Oblate), Úna O’Brien (Tullamore BC).