Tullamore twins make the cut for Ireland U-20 basketball squad

Two Tullamore basketball players have been selected on the Ireland U-20 women’s basketball squad.

Ellie Glavin and her twin sister Emma Glavin have been chosen on the 21-player provisional squad as preparations continue ahead of the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championships.

The tournament will take place in Sopron, Hungary from July 8th-16th and will see Ireland competing against Europe’s elite in the ‘A’ Division, alongside Serbia, Russia and Latvia in Group D.

In addition to Tullamore Basketball Club duo Ellie and Emma, five players from Portlaoise Panthers have been selected - Ciara Byrne, Lisa Blaney, Shauna Dooley, Sarah Fleming and Jasmine Burke.

There are three representatives from Trinity Meteors and two each from WIT Waterford Wildcats and NUIG Mystics.

Ireland U20 women’s head coach Karl Kilbride said: “Having got to watch the girls at Super League and National League level over the season and then up close at the last few trial sessions, we were in the enviable position of being able to pick, what we think, is a really strong group.

"We obviously have a massive task ahead of us, competing in the A division of the European Championships, against some of the best players in the world. But it’s a task we couldn’t be more excited for.

“We have a hectic schedule over the next few months, in preparation. We all know the amount and the level of work that’s ahead of us, and what’s required, but this is why you want to be involved with international teams - to work with and compete against the absolute best. We all can’t wait for the journey ahead.”

Ireland U-20 women’s squad: Abigail Rafferty (Ulster University), Ava Coogan (IT Carlow), Ciara Byrne (Portlaoise Panthers), Ella O’Donnell (Trinity Meteors), Ellie Glavin (Tullamore), Emma Glavin (Tullamore), Erin Maguire (Houston Baptist University), Hazel Finn (NUIG Mystics), Jasmine Burke (Portlaoise Panthers), Kara McCleane (NUIG Mystics), Kate Hickey (WIT Waterford Wildcats), Lauryn Homan (Singleton SuperValu Brunell), Lilli Brady (Malahide), Lisa Blaney (Portlaoise Panthers), Paris McCarthy (Team Garvey’s St. Mary’s), Rebecca Hynes (Trinity Meteors), Sabhbh Edwards Murphy (Akron University), Sarah Fleming (Portlaoise Panthers), Sarah Hickey (WIT Waterford Wildcats), Shauna Dooley (Portlaoise Panthers), Sinead Keane (Trinity Meteors).