Ireland U16 women’s team head coach Andy Gill has announced his final 12-person squad for the FIBA U16 Women’s European Challengers 2021, which take place in Piestany, Slovakia from August 9th-16th.
The panel is made up of players from 11 different clubs, with the duo of Rachel Lynch and Issy McSweeney hailing from Brunell.
Head coach Andy Gill said: “Selecting the final 12 is always the hardest part of our job and this was no different. We were able to play two much-needed games against our U18 team, which despite the age differential, enabled us to see the players in a competitive environment. Our selected panel will now have an intense period of preparation before the European Challengers event to fast track their learning. There is no doubt this group of players will give their all for the country and continue to demonstrate what is good about Irish basketball.”
Ireland’s seeding for the FIBA U16 Women’s European Challengers 2021 is based off the performance of Ireland’s U16 women’s teams over the previous three years. They are in Group D and will face tournament hosts Slovakia in their opening fixture on August 11th. It’s followed by games against Israel (12th August), Switzerland (13th August), Romania (15th August) and Luxembourg (16th August). Details and times of all games can be found on the FIBA official website.
Ireland’s U16 women’s team last competed internationally in 2019, at the FIBA U16 European Championship (Division B) in Sofia, Bulgaria, where they finished 3rd in their group and 12th overall in the 23-team tournament.
IRELAND U16 WOMEN’S SQUAD:
Rachel Bowdren (Fr. Mathews), Shauna Curran (Liffey Celtics), Lucy Devoy (Limerick Celtics), Caitlin Gloeckner (Waterford Wildcats), Emma Gribben (Letterkenny Blaze), Rachel Lynch (Brunell), Leah McMahon (St. Paul’s Killarney), Issy McSweeney (Brunell), Aisling Moran (Meteors), Alannah O’Connell (Tridents), Rebecca Sexton (Carrigaline), Bree Shelley (Killester)
