Fairytale finish eludes Ireland after two year absence

Despite the defeat, there were plenty of positives for coach Mark Keenan with John Carroll hitting 29 points while Jordan Blount caught the eye with a 16-point contribution.

Ireland's first competitive senior men's basketball game in two years ended with a one point defeat to Slovakia this afternoon (84-85).

Mark Keenan’s side performed brilliantly and narrowly missed out on victory when CJ Fulton’s buzzer-beater bounced off the rim.