Basketball coach Scannell urges Irish to embrace pressure

Irish coach Mark Scannell admits the pressure is on to deliver Basketball’s European Championships for Small Countries in Cork next month — even though he suspects the hosts are third favourites at best.

Scannell unveiled his 12-strong squad last night for the eight-nation tournament at UCC’s Mardkye Arena, which tips off on Tuesday, June 26.

Rising talent Claire Melia, recovering from a cruciate ligament operation, misses out, but one of the stars of Ireland’s run to the final of the Euro U18s last year, Liffey Celtics’ Sorcha Tiernan makes the cut.