Brunell basketball ace Abbie Lyons ready to roar for Ireland

Brunell basketball club have unearthed some wonderful talent since their foundation, and in Abbie Lyons they have star for in the future as she gets ready to participate with the Irish U18 team in the European Championship in Lithuania.

Lyons, daughter of Elaine who is a first cousin of the former North Mon and Neptune star Ger Heaphy, certainly has sports DNA, and she reflected on how she got involved with the northside club.

BASKETBALL BUG

“The start for me was my mother bringing me over to the Parochial Hall at Gurranabraher where Ken Foley ran the academy for the club and from there I got the basketball bug,” Lyons said.

It was clear from an early age that she had the class to make it to the top tier and even at the age of 16 she was part of the club team that lost a National cup to Meteors in 2024.

“Brunell is a great club to be involved with as every coach gives their very best to all teams and although losing to Meteors in that final we knew that we probably underachieved.”

This season Lyons was part of the Brunell U20 team that reached the National cup semi-final only to lose to Cavan Eagles.

Playing Super League is every player’s dream, and Lyons experienced this during the season and despite getting limited minutes, it is clear she is a player for the future.

Lyons’ first trip will be to Luxembourg where the Irish U18 team will play two challenge games before they get ready for their European championship games in Vilinus, Lithuania.

There is one other Cork representative with Cobh player Francesca Kyamagero also part of squad.

Ireland are in Group A alongside Germany, North Macedonia, Romania, and Sweden. Two teams will qualify for the quarter-finals from four groups with Ireland kicking off their tournament against Romania on July 5.

Over the years the cost for parents having their children involved with various Irish teams has been substantial, but Lyons believes there has been a huge improvement in recent times.

“This year there has been a different route as Basketball Ireland hired people to organise various fundraising events and it definitely is a lot less as it has been structured where installments can be made and I think that’s the way it is right through all the grades.

Over the years the sight of Lyons and her mother Elaine encouraging her at various venues is a ritual and they are also making the trip to Lithuania.

“My mother and I with my sister Saoirse will be flying out on July 3 for 11 days so hopefully we will give all these young ladies some support in what will be a great basketball tournament.”