Ireland fall to defeat against Czech Republic in Prague

Czech Republic 74-57 Ireland

Ireland fell to a "frustrating" defeat against the Czech Republic in the final group game of their FIBA Eurobasket qualification campaign in Prague this afternoon.

Any qualification hopes had already been scotched by home and away losses to the Netherlands and the 70-54 loss to the Czech Republic in Tallaght.

James Weldon's side started brightly, leading 12-10 midway through the first after Dayna Finn’s three-point jump shot.

Sarah Hickey came on for her international debut late in the first quarter, making an almost immediate impact with a steal and assist for Claire Melia.

However, this was Ireland’s final basket of the quarter, the highly ranked Czechs opening up a 26-14 lead.

Bridget Herlihy ended a run of 16 points without reply for the hosts with a three-pointer early in the second quarter but it was brief respite.

Natalie Stoupalova's layup just before the half-time buzzer would leave the score at 43-27.

Ireland needed a quick start to the third, but Veronika Vorackova’s early layup extended the hosts' lead, Renata Brezinova subsequently landing a three-pointer to leave the scoreline an intimidating 50-30.

Herlihy and the impressive Edel Thornton continued to plug away on the scoreboard but the deficit remained at 58-39 by the end of the third quarter.

Ireland rallied in the fourth with three pointers from Thornton - who finished with 16 points overall - and Michelle Clarke, with Finn and Melia subsequently reducing it to a 13 point game. But that was as close as it got, the Czechs holding any revival at bay, and cruising to victory.

Coach Weldon said afterwards: "The first quarter was really frustrating, we gave up 12 points in transition. That was an area where we really wanted to target and