Ireland men's and women's squads confirmed for Summer Series against Norway

Irish Examiner

7 days ago

Eight uncapped players have been included in the Ireland men's and women's squad for the Jysk Summer Series against Norway.
One of the newest members of the women's squad for the games, which will be played at the National Basketball arena on Saturday July 26th, is forward Lucy Coogan, who has enjoyed an excellent junior season with Caldwell University in the USA, moving to 16th on their all-time scoring list on 1,130 points.
The Kilkenny native has been capped at every youth level, most recently with the Ireland U20 side a year ago. Guard's Erin Maguire, who has featured heavily on the FIBA 3x3 Women's World Series this summer and 21-year-old Maria Kealy from Donegal – another graduate of the Basketball Ireland Academy system – also earn their first call-ups.
32-year-old Lorraine Scanlon is rewarded for her role in helping Utility Trust St. Paul's to the Domino's Women's Super League Final this season with a call-up.
Elsewhere there's a recall for Annaliese Murphy and Enya Maguire who missed out on our most recent FIBA Women's EuroBasket qualifier against Latvia at the National Basketball Arena, while Edel Thornton will captain the side as she continues her return from injury.
'I'm really looking forward to getting back in camp with this group,' said head coach James Weldon.
'The Jysk Summer Series gives me a good chance to look at Lucy, Maria Erin and Lorraine – as well as others – against strong opponents in Norway.
"It's always great to introduce some new faces to the group and the energy that brings and with the draw for the next qualification campaign coming up later this month, these are really important games to set the tone for the coming months.'
New Ireland senior men's head coach Michael Bree has also selected four uncapped players amongst a 20 strong squad for the friendly against Norway.
His coaching staff of Paul Kelleher, Ciaran O'Sullivan, Colin O'Reilly and Shane O'Meara will take charge for the game, as Bree completes his contractual duties with Denmark before taking charge for the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 qualifying campaign later this Autumn.
Max Amadasun, Eoin Nelson, Jamie Muldowney and Sean Fitzpatrick are all in line for their first senior minutes after being included in the initial list.
Amadasun has just finished his senior season at Augusta University, with the 6'9 centre averaging a 16-point double-double, starting 29 games. 25 year-old Eoin Nelson is another who will bring size and rebounding to the group after an impressive season with UCD Marian, while Jamie Muldowney and Sean Fitzpatrick both make the step up from the U20 programme for the Jysk Summer Series.
Otherwise, there's a settled look to the squad, with all 12 of the players who lined out in Ireland's most recent FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan available for selection.
'It's an exciting time for both the new coaching staff and this talented group of players,' said lead coach Paul Kelleher.
'We've had some excellent results in the last qualifying campaign so now it's about building on that and this staff firmly believes that we have a group of players who are ready to bring Irish basketball to the next level.
"Norway are fantastic opponents to bring to the National Basketball Arena. They're preparing for the next round of FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifiers in August and have some top level talent, so we know they're going to be at the top of their game in Dublin.'
Ireland men's squad: Max Amadasun (Augusta University, USA), Eoin Nelson (UCD Marian), Neal Quinn (Aix Maurienne Savoie Basket, France), Sean Flood (Tartu, Estonia), Paul Dick (Killester BC), John Carroll (EJ Sligo All-Stars), Rapolas Buivydas (Garvey's Tralee Warriors), Jamie Muldowney (West Liberty College, USA), Conor Quinn (Belfast Star), James Hannigan (UCC Demons), Sean Fitzpatrick (Malahide BC), Sean Jenkins (Griffith College Éanna), Taiwo Badmus (Tindastoll, Iceland), Adrian O'Sullivan (Ballincollig BC), David Lehane (UCC Demons), Matt Treacy (Snaefell, Iceland) Sam Alajiki (Oral Roberts, USA), Jordan Blount (Flexachem KCYMS), James Gormley (Griffith College Éanna), Aidan Igiehon (Abbey Seals Dublin Lions).
Ireland women's squad: Edel Thornton (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell), Sorcha Tiernan (FloMAX Liffey Celtics), Enya Maguire (Unattached), Erin Maguire (University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, USA), Kara McCleane (University of Galway Mystics), Kate Hickey, Sarah Hickey (SETU Waterford Wildcats), Lauryn Homan (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell), Abigail Rafferty (Oakland Wolves, USA), Ella O'Donnell (Quinnipiac University, USA), Lorraine Scanlon (Utility Trust St. Paul's), Bridget Herlihy (Unicaja Basket, Spain), Lucy Coogan (Caldwell University, USA), Maria Kealy (Quinnipiac University, USA), Annaliese Murphy (The Address UCC Glanmire).