IRELAND’S basketball teams begin the countdown to European Championship action tonight with the first in a series of friendlies.

IT WAS always going to be close but it took two hours and 34 minutes and two periods of overtime for Ireland to achieve a five point victory over Cyprus in a European championship semi-final round tie at The Mardyke Arena in Cork last night.

THE Irish basketball team want to end what has been a topsy turvy campaign in the best possible fashion when they play Cyprus in the last home game of the European championships semi-final round at the Mardyke Arena in Cork next Wednesday.

Irish coach Gerry Fitzpatrick has announced the squad that will line out against Cyprus for Ireland's last home game of the current European Championships series.

HEAD coach of the Irish basketball team, Gerry Fitzpatrick, has announced his squad for next week’s friendly against England and the European Championship semi-final round games against Germany, Croatia and former Macedonia (FYROM).

National team coach Gerry Fitzpatrick has named a panel of 17 for Ireland's European Men's Basketball Championship games next month.

NEPTUNE fans will be treated to a preview of the first round of the National Cup when Sx3 Star come to Neptune Stadium on Sunday for an ESB Super League tie, as the sides will meet for their cup clash at the same venue a week later.