Grace O'Sullivan managing more than Irish expectations ahead of opener

By the time Ireland tips off this evening against Norway in the FIBA Women’s European Championships for Small Countries (Mardyke, 6.15pm), team manager Grace O’Sullivan will have most of her work done.

“The girls slag me about it, but I send out an email very early, around 7am, just to say where we are, what time we’re meeting, asking them if they’re all okay and, if not, to check in with me.

“I’ll have the gear ready from the night before, basketballs, all of that. I’ll have checked with the venue officer to make sure we’re good to go in to the venue. From that perspective, once the girls get to the venue, I have to make sure their area is ready — the dressing rooms, the basketballs, the kit — because they’re used to a routine.