Sarah Hickey the star as Ireland women overcome Norway

Norway's Synne Jacobsen and Sarah Hickey of Ireland. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

Ireland 78 Norway 63 

Sarah Hickey led the way as Ireland’s women’s basketball team took an impressive win over a Norway side 14 places above them in the world rankings.

The first quarter of this JYSK Summer Series clash at the National Basketball Arena got off to a lively start, with both sides showing plenty of energy on both ends of the floor. Ireland’s Hickey and Micol Torresani of Norway set the tone early before a gutsy play by Sorcha Tiernan saw her hit the floor but nail a three.

Ella O’Donnell, who was called up late in place of the injured Bridget Herlihy, extended the lead with a nice inside move as the hosts began to take control. An impressive opening quarter ended with Ireland ahead 23-16.

It was a grittier start to the second quarter as both sides got tighter defensively. That switch favoured Ireland more, stretching the lead to 15 by the midpoint of the quarter. Hazel Finn’s tenacity proved telling as Norway struggled to match Ireland’s intensity. With captain Edel Thornton adding to the barrage, the hosts looked in fine form.

A steal and score by Anna Horvig Wikstrøm rallied the visitors late in the quarter but Ireland still led 42-35 at the half.

Ireland came out energised to start the second half, with Sorcha Tiernan finding O’Donnell on the fast break to put Ireland 10 in front again. A tighter defensive effort by the hosts made it hard going for Norway at the other end.

The response from the visitors simply wasn’t there. Ireland entered the final frame with a commanding 67-49 lead.

The final quarter felt rather processional. Norway had the odd highlight, including a high pressure three from Maren Mildestvedt, but the result was never in doubt. Ireland took an impressive win that can be built upon.

IRELAND: Edel Thornton, Enya Maguire, Kate Hickey, Sarah Hickey, Hazel Finn, Lauryn Homan, Abigail Rafferty, Ella O’Donnell, Annaliese Murphy, Sorcha Tiernan, Kara McCleane, Lorraine Scanlon 

NORWAY: Stine Austgulen, Synne Jacobsen, Sunniva Sørbye. Severine Uggen, Maren Mildestvedt, Karoline Teigland, Vilde Havnes, Micol Torresani, Anna Horvig Wikstrøm, Aiva Julirud