Ireland not too far off a historic win in their World Cup opener

Ireland had come from behind to tie and lead the game in the final quarter and really died on their swords in this historic game.

SO CLOSE: Jordan Blount was brilliant for Ireland in Kosovo.

IRELAND 76 KOSOVO 83 

CONSTANTLY booed by a partisan Prishtina crowd and up against a side ranked eight places higher, Ireland, led by a sensational 27 points from vice-captain Jordan Blount, put up a really brave fight on their historic debut in basketball’s World Cup (2027) last night.