Countdown is on for women’s European basketball championship

THE countdown is on for the much-anticipated FIBA Under 18 Women’s European Basketball Championship, which will be hosted in Dublin this August.

To mark the occasion, an official launch of the event logo was held at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, where the ambassadors for the event were also unveiled.

The ambassadors will be promoting the event in schools and clubs around the country, and include experienced star players Grainne Dwyer, Michelle Clarke, Jason Killeen, and Lorcan Murphy.

Speaking at the launch, Secretary General of Basketball Ireland, Bernard O’Byrne stated: “This is a very exciting time for Basketball Ireland. Preparations are now well underway and we are working hard to ensure that this will be a very successful event for all.

“We are delighted to welcome our ambassadors on board, all of whom have been a big part of the basketball scene in Ireland for many years and we look forward to working with them closely in the lead up to this event.

“Hosting this championships was the next logical step for us after hosting Congress last year and having our international teams back in place,” Mr O’Byrne added.

Also speaking at the launch, Ireland Under 18 Women’s Head Coach Tommy O’Mahony, added: “We reduced the squad last week down to 12 players and they are all really looking forward to what will be an experience of a lifetime for them.

“They are hard at work making sure that they will be in peak condition come August, and there’s no doubt that this will be a great occasion for the basketball community in Ireland.

“European Championships don’t come to your country every year so while it’s here, we should all take advantage of it and take pride in the fact that it’s here.

“We are eagerly looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead and it is a competition that should not be missed. Hopefully everyone will get behind the girls this year.”

Michelle Clarke, who was unveiled as one of the event ambassadors, said it was a huge honour for Ireland to host such a prestigious tournament.

“And with such a talented group of girls representing us, I’m really excited to be a part of it,” she said.

“We can’t underestimate the value of home support, so hopefully everyone will come down to the games and get behind the team.”

The championships will be held from August 4-13 in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght and the National Indoor Arena in Abbotstown. Twenty-four countries – including Ireland – will be battling for top honours throughout the course of the event, with 96 games being played out across the two arenas.

The Ireland U18 Women’s Basketball team are pictured ahead of the FIBA Under 18 Women’s European Championship in the National Basketball Arean, Tallaght. PHOTO: INPHO