Mayo native included in Irish squad for FIBA Women's EuroBasket qualifiers

Fresh from her Paudie O’Connor National Cup final success, Mayo native Hazel Finn has been included in the Irish squad for upcoming FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers against France and Latvia next week.

Finn is in a rich vein of form, earning her first competitive cap in the reverse fixture with Latvia and taking home MVP honours in the aforementioned victory against Killester a week ago.

Ireland head coach James Weldon has named two of Finn's FloMAX Liffey Celtics team-mates – Áine O’Connor and Sorcha Tiernan – in the squad as well.

Meanwhile, Ireland captain Edel Thornton is in line for her first appearance in FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifying after being included in Weldon’s 12-woman squad for what are the final two qualifiers.

“Edel Thornton’s return is welcome after a long-term injury with her past experience in the USA, along with Claire Melia and her current experience in the FIBA Euro Cup and playing in Spain will be important for us,” said Weldon ahead of the crucial fixtures.

First up for Ireland will be a trip to Chalone-sur-Saône on Thursday, February 6, to take on unbeaten Group E leaders and Olympic silver medallists France, who enter the game as the third ranked side in the world. Three days later Latvia are the visitors to the National Basketball Arena for a 5 p.m. tip-off.

Latvia, who are ranked 28th in the latest FIBA Women’s World Rankings, sit in second position in Group E, two places ahead of Ireland.

The winners of the eight qualifying groups and the four best-ranked runners-up will qualify for FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025. Ireland currently sit in fourth place in the group.

“Playing at the top tier in Europe is challenging, but it was our aim to get there when we started out on this programme and it’s the level where we all want to stay and compete at,” said Weldon. “Our team is in transition and maintaining the right blend of experience and youth is essential.”

Sarah Hickey, Kate Hickey and Abigail Rafferty stepped up during Ireland’s 85-53 defeat to Latvia in November, and Weldon understands the importance of being able to take on some of the best players in the world for the development of the younger players in the squad.

“The team are excited and looking forward to the challenge of taking on two formidable opponents, including the Olympic silver medallists. This will also give more experience to the younger players who played such a pivotal role in the last window in November,” he added.

The Ireland squad in full is as follows: Abigail Rafferty (Oakland Wolves, England), Áine O’Connor, Hazel Finn, Sorcha Tiernan (FloMAX Liffey Celtics), Amy Dooley (Midlands Park Portlaoise Panthers), Bridget Herlihy (Unicaja Baloncesto, Spain), Lauryn Homan, Edel Thornton (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell), Claire Melia (University of Ferrol, Spain), Kate Hickey, Sarah Hickey (SETU Waterford Wildcats), Michelle Clarke (Killester).

Both of next week's qualifiers can be seen live on the TG4 Player and app.