Delight for Ireland As Under 16 Team Bags Silverware in Luxembourg

A fantastic display from the girls in green.  There were big celebrations this weekend as the Irish Under 16 basketball team bagged the International Dussmann Cup in Mersch, Luxembourg. Ireland powered to a 67-31 point win over Austria on Sunday, marking their 13^th win in a row ahead of the European Championships in Macedonia this August. Dayna Finn eyes up the basket.  Indeed, Andy Gill’s side had a phenomenal weekend, heading into the tournament 3-0 after an opening day win over the hosts. They later caused an upset against European A side the Netherlands, bagging a 69-60 win in a thriller. Meanwhile on Sunday, Luxembourg were kept to just 11 points in the opening period thanks to a well-worked full court press from Ireland. Ireland continued to dominate, leading 51-20 heading into the last, and by the time the final buzzer sounded, 11 of the talented squad were on the score sheet. Big excitement in Luxembourg this weekend.  Louise Scannell notched the game high with a whopping 15 points while Claire Melia hit double figures for rebounds for the third game in a row. Ireland also forced 33 turnovers and claimed 16 steals throughout the fantastic 40-minute display. "Austria had beaten Luxembourg so this was a game we couldn't take lightly,” said head coach Andy Gill. Ireland did battle with The Netherlands. “Today was about proving that we could maintain the same level of intensity and competitiveness. "We struggled to put the ball in the basket in the first half but displayed far better control and decision making in the second half,” Gill continued. “This has been an excellent experience for this group of players and we hope we can carry this momentum into the European Championships."

Ireland U16 Women's Squad with a silverware selfie of their win at #Dussmann2015 pic.twitter.com/LkqI152GEx

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) July 12, 2015

Ireland: Dayna Finn (5), Sorcha Tiernan (1), Rachel Huijsdens (4), Louise Scannell (15), Claire Melia (8). Substitutes: Maggie Byrne (9), Amy Murphy (8), Mae Creane, Niamh Masterson (7), Amy Dooley (2), Enya Maguire (4), Maeve Phelan (4).