Experienced Duo Return as Ireland Women’s Basketball Team Gears Up for Uganda Friendly Series

Summary:

• Ireland women’s basketball head coach James Weldon has recalled veterans Claire Melia and Michelle Clarke for their friendly series against Uganda in Germany. Enya Maguire also returns, while Sarah Hickey and captain Edel Thornton are unavailable. The team will play two games on July 21st and 22nd as they prepare for the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers.

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Ireland women’s head coach James Weldon has bolstered his squad with the recall of seasoned players Claire Melia and Michelle Clarke for their upcoming friendly series against Uganda in Germany. Joining them is Enya Maguire, making her return to the team for the first time since last autumn’s successful friendly series against Austria. Maguire has been active this summer, participating in all of Ireland’s FIBA 3×3 Women’s World Series events.

However, the squad will be without Sarah Hickey, who is engaged with the FIBA U20 Women’s Youth EuroBasket team, and captain Edel Thornton, who is still recovering from an injury. Abigail Rafferty (Ulster University), Amy Dooley (The Address UCC Glanmire), and Alex Mulligan (Ulster University) retain their spots after making their debuts in February.

Weldon’s team is set to face Uganda, ranked 58th in the world, in two matches in Keltern Dietlingen, near Karlsruhe, on Sunday, July 21st, and Monday, July 22nd. These games are crucial as they prepare for the next FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifying window in November.

“Facing a team of Uganda’s calibre is an excellent test for us,” Weldon remarked. “It offers another valuable opportunity for our players to grow and develop ahead of our competitive matches in November. Uganda’s performance in the recent FIBA AfroBasket, where they reached the quarter-finals, demonstrates their strength. I’m eager to see how we handle the challenges they will present.”

Ireland Squad:

• Enya Maguire (Unattached)
• Annalise Murphy (The Address UCC Glanmire)
• Sorcha Tiernan (FloMAX Liffey Celtics)
• Lauryn Homan (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell)
• Kate Hickey (SETU Waterford Wildcats)
• Mimi Clarke (Pyrobel Killester)
• Bridget Herlihy (Ensio Lugo, Spain)
• Áine O’Connor (FloMAX Liffey Celtics)
• Claire Melia (Uni Ferrol, Spain)
• Abigail Rafferty (Ulster University)
• Amy Dooley (The Address UCC Glanmire)
• Alex Mulligan (Ulster University)

Fixtures:

• Ireland vs. Uganda
• Date: Sunday, July 21st
• Time: 5pm
• Venue: Keltern Dietlingen, Germany
• Ireland vs. Uganda
• Date: Monday, July 22nd, 2024
• Time: 4pm
• Venue: Keltern Dietlingen, Germany

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