The national side come into the qualifiers off the back of a second-place finish at the FIBA Women’s European Championship for Small Countries earlier this year.

Ulster University’s Abigail Rafferty and WIT Waterford Wildcats player Kate Hickey both represented Ireland at the FIBA U20 Women’s European Challengers in Hungary during the summer.

On top of this, Trinity Meteors power forward Sarah Kenny has also previously been capped at underage level.

Maura Fitzpatrick has been called up for the first time, with the Connecticut native currently playing for Gloucester City Queens in the WBBL.

Fitzpatrick is not the only overseas-based player in the squad – Anna Kelly, who is with Belgian club Spirou Ladies Charleroi, has also been selected.

12 Irish clubs are represented in the squad, with three players from DCU Mercy, and two each from Trinity Meteors, Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics and WIT Waterford Wildcats.

Ireland will play their opening qualifier against the Netherlands in Amsterdam in two weeks time, on November 11th, followed by a match against the Czech Republic on November 14th at the National Basketball Arena, in Dublin.

Ireland are in Group I of qualifying which also contains Belarus, who they will face in the second FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers window, in November 2022.

Speaking on the announcement, head coach James Weldon said: “The team are excited to be back playing at the highest level internationally, but are also keenly aware of the formidable challenges that lie ahead.

“We are looking forward to getting the team together during the international break in November. The process of rebuilding the team will continue over the three international windows as players learn to play at this elite level.”

Ireland Women’s Squad – FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers

PG – Anna Kelly (Spirou Ladies Charleroi)

PG – Edel Thornton (Singleton SuperValu Brunell)

SG – Dayna Finn (Trinity Meteors)

SG – Lynn Tunnah (Griffith College Templeogue)

SG – Maeve Phelan (DCU Mercy)

SG – Sorcha Tiernan (Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtic)

C – Claire Melia (UCC Glanmire)

C – Hannah Thornton (DCU Mercy)

C – Stephanie O’Shea (WIT Waterford Wildcats)

SF – Kate Hickey (WIT Waterford Wildcats)

SF – Maura Fitzpatrick (Gloucester City Queens)

SF – Michelle Clark (Killester)

PF – Abigail Rafferty (Ulster University)

PF – Áine O’Connor (Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtic)

PF – Gráinne Dwyer (Fr. Matthews)

PF – Rachel Huijsdens (DCU Mercy)

PF – Sarah Kenny (Trinity Meteors)

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Ireland Women kicked-off their FIBA European Championship For Small Countries campaign in Nicosia, Cyprus with a 71-point victory over Andorra.

The game marks their first match since 2019 after they were forced into a Covid-induced break, and also their first win.

Ireland started as they meant to go on with the offensive power of the side proving to be too much for the Andorran defence early on.

Dayna Finn, who was on her debut, led the side in scoring on the night with 14 points and was an important figure at the start of the game.

Finn helped her side gain a commanding 17-0 lead and James Weldon’s side marched on from there, never letting go of the advantage they had.

Edel Thornton was the thorn in the Andorrans’ sides as she racked up three steals in the first quarter alone.

Ireland upped their game in the second quarter, posting 32 points – their largest haul in any quarter.

The side’s defensive rebounds were instrumental in their attacking display as their counter-attacks proved lethal against the Andorran defence.

The Andorrans suffered an error-filled display courtesy of the hard work and tenacity of the likes of Thornton and Rachel Huijsdens.

Hower, Noah Mico Lorenzo and Cristina Andres Rabasa showed up for their country and put up double-digit points.

Through this solid defence, the Irish continued to have unanswered high-scoring runs.

The side finished the game with 36 defensive rebounds and 27 offensive rebounds, including the one that led to the lay-up Grainne O’Dwyer pounced on to break the 100-point barrier.

Weldon and co. will be impressed with their showing in the opener in Nicosia and will now look towards a game against Malta on Thursday afternoon.

Ireland: Michelle Clarke (9), Aine McKenna (10), Dayna Finn (14), Claire Rockall (7), Rachel Huijsdens (9), Grainne Dwyer (11), Edel Thornton (4), Fiona O’Dwyer (10), Claire Melia (9), Hannah Thornton (5), Sorcha Tiernan (12), Aine O’Connor (4).

Andorra: Cristina Andres Rabasa (10), Noah Mico Lorenzo (13), Laura Laurent Marrugat, Mariona Palou Vidal, Carla Solana Perez (2), Claudia Brunet Solano (6), Julia Marquez Tomas (2), Anna Mana Buscall, Patricia Meira Gallego, Mireia Magrinya Alonso, Cloe Torcuato Rodriguez (DNP).

To see the recently announced Men’s squad, click here.

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Ireland National Basketball Team head coach Mark Keenan has finalised his 12-man squad for the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries.

Jason Killeen has been given the captaincy for the tournament and is one of three Griffith College players in the squad.

The Griffith College star will want to follow on in the footsteps of Keenan and captain Ireland to glory at an international tournament in Dublin.

Lorcan Murphy and Neil Randolph are also part of the Ireland squad for the competition.

UCC Demons’ Kyle Hosford will be the Ireland vice-captain for the FIBA competition.

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