History was made this evening as Ireland's U18 women's basketball team won the country's first ever 'A' division game. Across any age-grade, their 53-52 defeat of Sweden was a landmark win - and the resulting celebrations were suitably ecstatic.
RECAP: "History was made today - and we're not done yet!" Ireland Under 18 women win first ever Division A game for their country at #FIBA18Europe #GreenShoots https://t.co/UlxRrV6zw2 pic.twitter.com/76dHcUiqeJ
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 11, 2018
Taking place in Italy, Dayna Finn's late basket secured a win that will long be remembered for fans of Irish basketball. 2 of the 22 she contributed on the night, the Mayo woman showed tremendous composure when her side needed it most.
Nerves of STEEL.
👀 Here’s that winning bucket from Dayna Finn this evening 🕺🕺🕺🕺🕺🕺🕺🕺#FIBAU18Europe #GreenShoots pic.twitter.com/i5gWxVbkY3— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 11, 2018
Setting up a showdown with Bosnia tomorrow in which the winning team will keep their place in the top-tier, for a few hours (or maybe only minutes) at least, some celebrations are due.
HISTORY!!!!! Ireland has just won the first ever Division A game!!!!! A WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! N pic.twitter.com/mHqIuZDUdq
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 11, 2018
THEY DID IT!!!!! THEY JUST DID IT!!!! Ireland U18 women win against @basketse 53-52!!!!!!! #FIBAU18Europe #GreenShoots pic.twitter.com/7hWKsbu0SR
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 11, 2018
There are no words.
History makers ✅🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀 #FIBAU18Europe pic.twitter.com/cwtKPREcN5— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) August 11, 2018
Speaking post-match, the team's head-coach Patrick O'Neill believes there is more to come from this team yet:
A little bit of history was made tonight – and we’re not done yet. I’m so unbelievably proud of this team!
The effort the girls put in was phenomenal. They dug deep and showed such resilience and mental fortitude to come back and take control - and of course, to get us our first ever win at Division A.
The fans were amazing, to hear the singing as soon as we stepped on court was huge.
With tomorrow's game now determining whether or not Ireland retain their Division A status, another big result will be required against Bosnia in Italy.
[Basketball Ireland]
