Ireland get vital 2027 World Cup pre-qualifier window off to winning start by overcoming Azerbaijan

Ireland secured a dominant 91-67 victory over Azerbaijan at the National Basketball Arena as they looked to get their hopes of advancing to the next round of the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers back on track.

After two losses from two in the February window of the European pre-qualifier stage, Thursday's game marked the first of two must-win fixtures for Mark Keenan's side this month, with the second to come against Kosovo on Sunday.

The win in Tallaght, which saw captain Sean Flood top-score with 28 points, lifts Ireland up to second in Group A behind Switzerland for now and level on points with Azerbaijan, before the Swiss host bottom-placed Kosovo in Bern later this evening.

The top-placed team from the three pre-qualifier groups will progress to the second phase, alongside the best performing second-placed team, meaning Ireland need to emerge from this week with maximum points.

The first game in that objective has been successfully ticked off and Irish head coach Keenan was particularly thrilled by the sprightly start that saw his side lead Azerbaijan 23-12 after the first quarter.

"I'm really delighted. You really worry. Obviously these games, it's all about getting the right start because if you get a slow start, it sets the tone for the game," he told RTÉ Sport's Greg Allen after the 24-point win over Azerbaijan.

"So I think with the really positive, upbeat start set the tone for the whole game, so that set us up really."

With Neal Quinn and Jordan Blount both adding 13 points each to Flood's tally, Keenan said that the spread of scoring throughout the team had been a boon.

"Sean showed the pro-level player that he is tonight, playing with the London Lions," he added of his captain.

"He's not there for no reason so he