Ireland Secures Best Ever Finish At FIBA European Championships

Ireland has secured a best ever seventh place finish at the FIBA U16 Women’s European Championships this afternoon with a 60-47 win over Greece.  In what was a fantastic display by the young Irish side, they managed to hold off late pressure from Greece to drive on to victory. Louise Scannell and Sorcha Tiernan were on-form in the first to send Ireland into a 12-4 lead after just four minutes.

End of Q1 at #FIBAU16Europe: Ireland 20-10 Greece. Maggie Byrne and Amy Dooley came off the bench to extend lead > http://t.co/hhXBWZQEbz

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 23, 2015

The girls in green soon opened up a 20-10 lead thanks to fine shooting from Maggie Byrne and Amy Murphy. Greece found their stride in the second quarter, and the hugely impressive Maria Anastasopoulou proved key for them as they began to close the gap. However, Scannell and Dayna Finn stepped up to the challenge for Ireland and reignited the offence to send them in at half-time on a 31-21 lead.

HT at #FIBAU16Europe: Ireland 31-21 Greece. 10 mins with no field goal but Melia and Huijsdens defending solidly > http://t.co/hhXBWZQEbz

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 23, 2015

Georgia Tsichlaki for Greece came to the forefront in the third quarter, and narrowed the gap to just five points as the clock ticked down. Mae Creane hit a crucial jump spot with a minute to the buzzer and Finn’s second three-pointer restored the double digit lead and Ireland were 43-33 ahead with 10 minutes to go. This momentum carried them through to the end, where they won out 60-47 after a superb performance.

That's it! Ireland have locked up a best ever finish at #FIBAU16Europe with a 60-47 win over Greece! #LockUpGreen pic.twitter.com/dINUZwFGBt

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 23, 2015

Speaking afterwards, head coach Andy Gill stated: “We’re immensely proud of this group. “The test for all this players is to take this achievement and use it as a stepping stone for further success. “It’s been a great ride and the commitment of the parents too has been second to none.” The squad are due to touch down in Dublin Airport on Monday, August 23rd at 2.35pm. Ireland: Dayna Finn (11), Sorcha Tiernan (8), Louise Scannell (8), Rachel Huijsdens (7), Claire Melia (14). Substitutes: Maggie Byrne (2), Enya Maguire, Maeve Phelan, Amy Murphy (8), Amy Dooley, Niamh Masterson, Mae Creane (2).