Maria Kealy has been included in the final 12 of the Ireland U20 Women’s Basektball team for the FIBA European Championships, which take place in Craiova, Romania between July 28th and August 6th.
Kealy came up through the ranks with the Letterkenny Blaze club and now represents Ulster University Tigers.
She featured at the 2022 FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship and proved an effective facilitator, contributing 7.4 assists per game to go with 5.4 rebounds and a team high 36-minutes per game.
Ireland will compete in the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship ‘B’ Division in 2023 and have been drawn in Group B alongside Romania, Greece and Georgia.
Speaking after announcing his squad, head coach Karl Kilbride said:
“Selecting 12 players from the group that we started with is one of the toughest processes we’ve ever had to go through as a coaching staff. There’s so much ability and experience in the extended group, resulting in some serious talent missing out. We couldn’t possibly be more excited to be working with and going away with the 12 girls we have. We’re really fortunate to have the depth of experience we’ve got in the team, playing at the highest levels in our National League, The United States and also previous FIBA Youth European Championships.
“We have an intense and busy summer ahead, with tough stops in Czech Republic and Croatia, before heading to Romania for the European Championships at the end of July. With the effort and commitment that the girls have shown so far continuing, we’re hoping for a really successful few months in front of us.”
Ireland U20 Women’s Squad:
Ella O’Donnell (Quinnipiac University), Ellie Glavin (University of Galway Mystics), Emily Smyth (Dublin Lions), Emma Glavin (University of Galway Mystics), Hazel Finn (University of Galway Mystics), Kara McCleane (University of Galway Mystics), Katie Flanagan (Dublin Lions), Lucy Coogan (Caldwell University), Maria Kealy (Ulster University Tigers), Micaiah Fubara (DCU Mercy), Sarah Hickey (Waterford Wildcats), Sinéad Keane (Trinity Meteors).
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