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.

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.

FOLLOWING their superb midweek performance in losing to Germany by just nine points, Ireland will be in good heart for tonight’s European qualifier aginst Croatia in Zagreb.

Former Irish captain Gareth Maguire has withdrawn from the Irish basketball team.

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.

Ireland have been beaten by Germany in their opening match of the European Championship men’s semi-final round robins series.

There are changes to the ESB men’s Superleague schedule this weekend to allow senior internationals, Damien Sealy and Adrian Fulton join the Irish team in Germany on Sunday

Queensland players Nathan Williams and Shane Drahm are nursing more than hangovers after they were dumped from the Reds line-up to meet the Lions on Saturday for disciplinary reasons.