Northsider Bronagh stars in historic U-18 basketball triumph 

A NORTHSIDE girl is celebrating after playing a prominent role in the Under 18 Irish women’s team’s exploits in the European Championships. 

Bronagh Power Cassidy, from Coolock, at just 16, was the youngest player on the Irish team who won a silver medal in the FIBA Under 18 Women’s European Championships, held at the NBA, Tallaght. 

The Under 18s are the only Irish international team, male or female, ever to secure a silver medal place and be promoted to Division A. 

There have been brillant teams that have represented Ireland but this one – superbly coached by Tommy O’Mahony and assistant coach Niall Berry, and team manager Paula Ryan Kavanagh – was really special.

Bronagh said she was thrilled and proud to represent her country.  

“I was completely blown away by the Irish support in the arena for us,

? she said. 

“The team are amazing and really hard working.

?

Bronagh said the support reminded her Mum and Dad of Itaila 90 when the Republic of Ireland reached the quarter final of the World Cup.

“I don’t know, I wasn’t born but I believe them,

? she said.

“The Green Army of support was electrifying. Amazing memories.

?Â 

The Ireland team also included two of Bronagh’s DCU Mercy teammates, Rachel Huijsdens and Maeve Ã? Séaghdha.

“Having the three of us on this team was really special,

? she added.

“It gave us confidence to have one another’s back and play a solid game.

?

This was the first time Ireland hosted this international competition and the team played before a packed out arena for every match.

The Ireland Under 18 team’s unbeaten streak finally came to an end in the final when they lost out to Germany 67-43.

Promotion to Division A is still assured, though, as is the squad’s status as Ireland’s most successful ever basketball team.

The players and coaches were given a standing ovation at the final buzzer by the capacity crowd who supported them every step of the way through a superb tournament.

Speaking after the Germany match, Head Coach Tommy O’Mahony described the feeling as

“incredible

?. 

“Night after night we rolled from one game to the other, we didn’t get a chance to figure out what we’d just done,

? he said. 

“Tonight wasn’t our night, but the girls have to realise what they’ve done and how big it is in the whole scheme of things. 

“It’s hard to believe, we won’t comprehend it for a few weeks I’d say, but it’s been great.

?

Last summer Bronagh captained the most successful Under 16 Irish international squad who made their own history by coming sixth. 

However, she isn’t the only basketball star in her family. Her older sister Saoirse represented Ireland on the Under 18 team in 2015 and 2016. Shortly after her successful campaign Saoirse secured a year in Prep School followed by a sports scholarship to University of Massachusetts this summer.

Bronagh and Saoirse, meanwhile, continue to be leading lights for their club DCU Mercy and school team Holy Faith Clontarf. 

Bronagh and the Holy Faith team qualified to play in the World Schools Basketball Championships in May under the expert guidance of coach supreme Jerome Westbrooks. She also received the Young Superleague Player of the Year 2016/2017 award from renowned Head Coach Mark Ingle.