Cork players front and central to the men's and women's Irish basketball teams for upcoming games

Eight uncapped players have been included in the Ireland men’s and women’s squad for the Jysk Summer Series against Norway at the National Basketball Arena on Saturday, July 26th.

Forward Lucy Coogan has enjoyed an excellent junior season with Caldwell University in the USA, moving to 16th on their all-time scoring list on 1,130 points. 

The Kilkenny native has been capped at every youth level, most recently with the Ireland U20 side a year ago. 

Guard’s Erin Maguire, who has featured heavily on the FIBA 3x3 Women’s World Series this summer and 21-year-old Maria Kealy from Donegal – another graduate of the Basketball Ireland Academy system – also earn their first call-ups.

32-year-old Lorraine Scanlon is rewarded for her role in helping Utility Trust St. Paul’s to the Domino’s Women’s Super League Final this season with a call-up.

Elsewhere, there’s a recall for Cork's Annaliese Murphy and Enya Maguire who missed out on our most recent FIBA Women’s EuroBasket qualifier against Latvia at the National Basketball Arena, while Brunell's Edel Thornton will captain the side as she continues her return from injury.

New Ireland senior men’s head coach Michael Bree has also selected four uncapped players amongst a 20 strong squad for the friendly against Norway.

His coaching staff of Cork trio Paul Kelleher, Ciaran O’Sullivan, Colin O’Reilly and Sligo's Shane O’Meara will take charge for the game, as Bree completes his contractual duties with Denmark before taking charge for the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 qualifying campaign later this Autumn.

Max Amadasun, Eoin Nelson, Jamie Muldowney and Sean Fitzpatrick are all in line for their first senior minutes after being included in the initial list. 

Amadasun has just finished his senior season at Augusta University, with the 6’9 centre averaging a 16-point double-double, starting 29 games. 25 year-old Eoin Nelson is another who will bring size and rebounding to the group after an impressive season with UCD Marian, while Jamie Muldowney and Sean Fitzpatrick both make the step up from the U20 programme for the Jysk Summer Series.

Otherwise, there’s a settled look to the squad, with all 12 of the players who lined out in Ireland’s most recent FIBA Basketball World Cup qualifying win over Azerbaijan available for selection.

Tickets for the Jysk Summer Series against Norway at the National Basketball Arena in Dublin on Saturday July 26th are available at ireland.basketball/tickets.

Ireland men’s squad:

Max Amadasun (Augusta University, USA)*, Eoin Nelson (UCD Marian)*, Neal Quinn (Aix Maurienne Savoie Basket, France), Sean Flood (Tartu, Estonia), Paul Dick (Killester BC), John Carroll (EJ Sligo All-Stars), Rapolas Buivydas (Garvey’s Tralee Warriors), Jamie Muldowney (West Liberty College, USA)*, Conor Quinn (Belfast Star), James Hannigan (UCC Demons), Sean Fitzpatrick (Malahide BC)*, Sean Jenkins (Griffith College Éanna), Taiwo Badmus (Tindastoll, Iceland), Adrian O’Sullivan (Ballincollig BC), David Lehane (UCC Demons), Matt Treacy (Snaefell, Iceland) Sam Alajiki (Oral Roberts, USA), Jordan Blount (Flexachem KCYMS), James Gormley (Griffith College Éanna), Aidan Igiehon (Abbey Seals Dublin Lions).

Ireland women’s squad:

Edel Thornton (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell), Sorcha Tiernan (FloMAX Liffey Celtics), Enya Maguire (Unattached), Erin Maguire (University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley, USA)*, Kara McCleane (University of Galway Mystics), Kate Hickey, Sarah Hickey (SETU Waterford Wildcats), Lauryn Homan (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell), Abigail Rafferty (Oakland Wolves, USA), Ella O’Donnell (Quinnipiac University, USA), Lorraine Scanlon (Utility Trust St. Paul’s)*, Bridget Herlihy (Unicaja Basket, Spain), Lucy Coogan (Caldwell University, USA)*, Maria Kealy (Quinnipiac University, USA)*, Annaliese Murphy (The Address UCC Glanmire).