Extended squad named for EuroBasket 2023 qualifier

Two players are in line for their senior international debuts, as Ireland head coach James Weldon names a 17-strong extended senior women's squad for their upcoming FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifier with the Netherlands.

Eighteen-year-old Waterford Wildcats star Sarah Hickey and 21-year-old Ciara Bracken of Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics are the fresh faces in the squad for the clash with the Dutch in 27 November at the NBA (5.15pm)

Hickey earned her call up following her showing at this summer’s FIBA U18 European Championship

Bracken also came through the underage international ranks and playing college basketball in the United States with Fairfield University, before returning to establish herself with Leixlip Amenities Liffey Celtics.

Weldon hands a recall to veteran forward Orla O’Reilly, who last played for Ireland at this level in 2009. O’Reilly plays professionally in Australia, winning two championships with the Sunbury Jets.

The 32-year-old Cork native has also played in Spain, Ireland, Iceland and the Czech Republic during her career, as well as being a part of the Ireland 3x3 squad who reached the last eight of the FIBA 3x3 European Championship in Baku in 2015.

Also returning to the fold are DCU Mercy's Hannah Thornton, who missed the last international window through injury and Liffey Celtics’ Sorcha Tiernan, both of whom have made strong starts to the MissQuote.ie Super League season for their teams.

Five of the squad retain their place after winning their first caps during the 'Gotham Drywall' series against Estonia in August. Bridget Herlihy, who ply’s her trade professionally in Sweden, introduced herself to the Irish crowd with a 20-point haul at the National Basketball Arena and the Irish coaching