Ireland make it back-to-back wins with victory over Kosovo in Tallaght

Ireland 91-85 Kosovo

Ireland made it back-to-back wins in their 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign, with a crucial victory over Kosovo at the National Basketball Arena this evening.

Seeking to back up Thursday's dominant performance against Azerbaijan, Mark Keenan's side made a whirlwind start in Tallaght, racing into a 22-2 lead, back-to-back three pointers from John Carroll setting the stage for a first-quarter power play.

The hosts' professional foreign-based players to the fore, notably naturalised American-born Neal Quinn and Dubliner Sean Flood racking up 23 and 21 points respectively.

The visitors, who beat Ireland 83-76 in Pristina in February, shot back in the second quarter, whittling Ireland's advantage down to five points, the hosts leading 42-37 at the break.

However, with London Lions player Flood draining numerous three-pointers, alongside lay-ups from Rory Downey and Carroll pushed Ireland's lead back into comfortable double-digits, leading 73-58 heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the redoubtable Quinn continued to make hay on rebounds and from the free-throw line, the France-based player ended a seven-point streak from the Kosovans, to score six unanswered points himself and nudge Ireland into an 81-67 lead.

The visitors were in a better groove by now but another lay-up from Quinn and a vital three-pointer from Paul Dick left Ireland with a commanding 91-76 advantage into the final couple of minutes.

While the away side mounted a late surge, rattling over nine unanswered points, it was much too late and Ireland eased to a 91-85 finish, a mini-brawl ensuing after the final whistle of a physical encounter.

The win nudges Ireland up to a second in the group, with a 2-2 record and still in