Ireland’s women prepare for European basketball return

Collegiate freshman at Quinnipiac University, Edel Thornton is one of five overseas inclusions in Mark Scannell’s provisional Senior Women’s squad for Ireland’s re-entry into international tournament play after a six-year hiatus.

The squad for the FIBA European Championships for Small Countries in June features players from eight Women’s Premier League teams as well as one from newly promoted NUIG Mystics.

Orla O’Reilly is in her third season with CB Bembibre in Spain’s Liga Femenina with Stephanie O’Sullivan based in Canada and Keyano College and Jessica Scannell playing for Melbourne Tigers. Jessica’s sister Clodagh is in her senior year with Boston University while Thornton is impressing in her first year in Pennsylvania.

Said Scannell: “I want to raise the bar and give people access to the next level of basketball. ”

A final squad of 12 will travel to Gibraltar in June and will face Moldova and Wales in Group A.

Ireland Senior Woman’s squad: Michelle Clarke (Killester), Sinead Deegan (WIT Wildcats), Grainne Dwyer (Glanmire), Casey Grace (Glanmire), Cathy Grant (UL Huskies), Sarah Kenny (Glanmire), Caro Lloyd (Meteors), Eimear Máirtín (Meteors), Aoife McDermott (DCU Mercy), Meghan McGuinness (Meteors), Aine McKenna (Glanmire), Mairead McNally (DCU Mercy), Lauren Murray (NUIG Mystics), Aine O’Connor (Liffey Celtics), Danielle O’Leary (Brunell), Megan O’Leary (Brunell), Orla O’Reilly (CB Bembibre), Stephanie O’Sullivan (Keyano Huskies), Claire Rockall (Glanmire), Jessica Scannell (Melbourne Tigers), Clodagh Scannell (Boston University), Emma Sherwood (Killester), Edel Thornton (Quinnipiac University), Hannah Thornton (Killester), Fionnuala Toner (DCU Mercy), Amy Waters (Brunell), Sarah Woods (DCU Mercy).

Fixtures - Tuesday June 28th:

Ireland v Moldova; Wed June 29th: Ireland v Wales

Head Coach: Mark Scannell;

Asst Coaches: Paul Kelleher, Francis O’Sullivan;

Team Manager: Grace O’Sullivan