Ireland fade to fall against Croatia in Tallaght

Ireland 61-95 Croatia

Despite a credible first half showing, Ireland fell to a 95-61 defeat to Croatia in their FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifier at a sold out National Basketball Arena this afternoon.

The hosts pushed their illustrious opponents to the limit in a vibrant first half, with Lorcan Murphy in particular causing problems, scoring 12 points in the opening 20 minutes.

Ireland trailed 20-12 after the opening quarter, with Murphy, Aidan Harris Igiehon, Taiwo Badmus and CJ Fulton draining baskets for the home side.

Templeogue star Murphy got into his stride in the second quarter, scoring heavily to narrow the gap to 23-18 and kept reasonable pace with the heavy favourites, behind just 42-34 by half-time.

While Badmus' three pointer narrowed the gap to five points early in the third quarter, it was then when the Croatians stretched away, Dario Dreznjak draining a series of three pointers as they scored 12 points on the trot to lead 56-39.

Captain John Carroll landed a couple of three pointers either side of the third quarter break but the Croatians were thoroughly in their groove now with Mateo Dreznjak and Borna Kapusta doing damage.

The gap was pushed out substantially as Croatia made hay, head coach Mark Keenan admitted disappointed with the eventual scoreline.

Ireland finished with a couple of three pointers in the final minute from Conor O'Sullivan and Conor Quinn, leaving the final score at 95-61.

The result means Ireland are unable to advance to the FIBA EuroBasket qualifiers, though they can still finish second in Group G with a win over Luxembourg on 5 August.

"Obviously we are disappointed right at the end with the scoreline," said Keenan.

"We hung with them for a lot of that game, the first half was really