Commonwealth Games 2022: Nathan McCabe revelling in the moment after Euro heroics

Nathan McCabe may be only 18 years old, but he has already written his name into the annals of Northern Ireland Wheelchair Basketball history.

The Castlewellan teenager sunk the winning basket in extra time of the European qualifiers against Scotland to send Team NI to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.

In the final, with the winner going to Birmingham and the loser going home, Team NI went 4-1 down against the hosts Scotland.

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The sides were tied on nine points each at the end of regulation time, the game went into extra time with the first to two points winning. Team NI conceded the first score but Con Nagle levelled for the men in green before McCabe scored to win the game.

“It feels still surreal, it is unbelievable what the team has achieved," reflected McCabe.

“We knew Scotland were going to be hard opponents as they are such an amazing team to play against.

“The first game we played against them we went down straight away. They had a three point lead and we pulled it back because we work really well as a team.

“Scotland’s outside shots are unbelievable but we just picked up on the defence.

“Wales have some fantastic players, but we just had that edge. Our team gels very well together and we just bounce off one another.

“No matter who subs or who is on court we are a very good collective.”

McCabe and his teammates had to show great resolve and character in the final.

“Time ran out and we were in a tie, we went straight into over time, and it was the first to two points," he added.

“We thought straight away they were going to go for the two pointers, but they didn’t and our defence helped us and we got the two