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Portlaoise Duo In Irish Squad for U20 Euro Championships in Hungary

Tuesday, 31 May 2022 08:50

Lisa Blaney. Photo: Michelle La Grue Photography.

Ciara Byrne and Lisa Blaney have made the 12-woman squad.

Two Portlaoise Panthers have been named in the Ireland squad for the FIBA Under 20 Women's European Championship starting next week.

The competition in Hungary runs from July 8th to 16th, and will see Ireland in Group D alongside Serbia, Latvia and Portugal.

Ciara Byrne and Lisa Blaney of the Portlaoise Panthers have made the cut in the 12-woman squad.

On his selection, head coach Karl Kilbride said: "Making the final selection to 12 is the toughest and least enjoyable part of any international coach’s job. The girls did an amazing job over the last couple of months at making that decision particularly difficult this year. The standard of play and levels of intensity and commitment, particularly around college exams and the Leaving Cert, have been really exceptional. 

"We now have a hugely important and busy five weeks ahead of us, as we prepare to compete in the FIBA U20 A Division, against the absolute best in Europe. It’s obviously a mammoth task, but it’s one we couldn’t be more excited to tackle with this particular group."

Ireland U20 Women's Squad:

Abigail Rafferty (Ulster University), Ciara Byrne (Portlaoise Panthers), Ella O'Donnell (Quinnipiac University), Erin Maguire (Houston Baptist University), Hazel Finn (NUIG Mystics), Kara McCleane (NUIG Mystics), Katie Hickey (WIT Waterford Wildcats), Sarah Hickey (WIT Waterford Wildcats), Lauryn Homan (Singleton SuperValu Brunell), Lisa Blaney (Portlaoise Panthers), Paris McCarthy (East Tennessee State University), Sinead Keane (Trinity Meteors). 

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