Ireland men's national basketball team

The Ireland men's national basketball team (Irish: Foireann cispheile náisiúnta na hÉireann) represents the island of Ireland in international basketball. It is governed by Basketball Ireland with players from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Ireland plays their home matches at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, Dublin.

Ireland has little history on the international stage, as they have yet to qualify for top tournaments such as the EuroBasket or the FIBA World Cup. However, the national team did participate at the Summer Olympics once, in 1948.

The Amateur Basketball Association of Ireland (ABAI; now Basketball Ireland) was formed in 1945 and affiliated to FIBA in 1947. An indoor version of basketball had been played in the Irish Army from 1936, but using non-standard rules to create an indoor winter substitute for Gaelic football; until 1943, the Army Athletic Council officially recognized only Gaelic games. The ABAI sent a team of the best Army players to the 1948 Olympic tournament in nearby London, despite the refusal of Army command to release the players for intensive training. The team coaches were officers unfamiliar with the sport, who outranked the players and ignored their advice. Although many top sides were absent from the London Games in the aftermath of World War II, the Irish team finished last, losing every match heavily; the worst a 71–9 loss to Mexico, who finished fourth. Only two members of the team were over 6 feet (1.8 m) tall.

The team's standard improved gradually from the 1970s to the 2000s, as more school leavers won scholarships to play US college basketball, and some Irish American professional players took up eligibility to compete for their ancestral country. Ireland entered European-zone Olympic qualification tournaments in 1972, 1976, 1984, and 1988, losing every match each time. In 1988, Ireland finished runner-up in the inaugural Promotion Cup, the third tier of EuroBasket, later named EuroBasket Division C, and now the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries. In 1993, the National Basketball Arena opened in Dublin, which became the team's new permanent home. Division C was hosted there the following year, and Ireland beat Cyprus 81–78 in the final to gain promotion to EuroBasket Division B. Ireland narrowly failed to win promotion to Division A in FIBA EuroBasket 2005 Division B, losing to Denmark by four points after having won the first game in Dublin by ten.

In February 2010, during the Irish financial crisis, Basketball Ireland announced that it was €1.2m in debt and was deactivating its senior international squads to cut costs. In December 2015, the team was reactivated for 2016.

In December 2015, it was announced that Ireland would play at the 2016 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries. The team finished in the fourth position overall.

Ireland played in the 2018 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, held in San Marino from 26 June to 1 July. Ireland finished (1–1) in group play, losing to Malta then defeating Andorra. In the semi-finals Ireland lost to Norway, sending the team to the bronze medal match where they defeated Gibraltar to finish in third place.

Three years later, Ireland hosted the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Dublin. The national team would go undefeated during the tournament at (4–0), to capture their second title at the competition all time.

After Ireland's 2021 European Championship for Small Countries triumph, they entered EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifying, where they earned a victory in their first match away to Cyprus 73–81. Although following the win, Ireland would go (3–6) during the rest of their pre-qualifying campaign, to eventually be eliminated.

Ireland then put their focus into the 2027 FIBA World Cup European Pre-Qualifiers. However, they began their campaign with two demoralising losses, before sweeping their doubleheader in November 2024, against Azerbaijan and Kosovo. Ultimately, a heavy defeat at the hands of Switzerland 85–54 in February 2025, ended Ireland's hopes of progressing to the next round.

Kosovo v  Ireland

22 February 2024 2027 FIBA World Cup pre-qualifiers – 1st round	Kosovo	83–76	Ireland	Pristina, Kosovo
19:00 (UTC+1)	Scoring by quarter: 22–17, 23–21, 20–19, 18–19
	Pts: Hajrizi 20 Rebs: Hajrizi 9 Asts: Tmušić 6	Boxscore	Pts: Blount 27 Rebs: Blount 13 Asts: Badmus 4	Arena: Palace of Youth and Sports Attendance: 2,500 Referees: Ali Şakacı (TUR), Jan Baloun (CZE), Edgard Ceccarelli (FRA)

Ireland v   Switzerland

25 February 2024 2027 FIBA World Cup pre-qualifiers – 1st round	Ireland	63–86	Switzerland	Dublin, Ireland
15:00 (UTC±0)	Scoring by quarter: 14–22, 15–19, 14–22, 20–23
	Pts: Flood 15 Rebs: Buivydas 7 Asts: Blount 4	Boxscore	Pts: Anabir 15 Rebs: Jurkovitz 8 Asts: Fofanfa 6	Arena: National Basketball Arena Attendance: 1,500 Referees: Valerio Grigioni (ITA), Javier Torres (ESP), Chess van Looy (BEL)

Ireland v  Azerbaijan

21 November 2024 2027 FIBA World Cup pre-qualifiers – 1st round	Ireland	91–67	Azerbaijan	Dublin, Ireland
17:00 (UTC±0)	Scoring by quarter: 25–12, 23–13, 23–20, 20–22
	Pts: Flood 28 Rebs: Blount 12 Asts: Blount 9	Boxscore	Pts: Davis 25 Rebs: Aydın, Davis 8 Asts: Aydın 4	Arena: National Basketball Arena Attendance: 900 Referees: Iain MacDonald (GBR), Ioannis Tsimpouris (GRE), Davíð Tómasson (ISL)

Ireland v  Kosovo

24 November 2024 2027 FIBA World Cup pre-qualifiers – 1st round	Ireland	91–85	Kosovo	Dublin, Ireland
17:00 (UTC±0)	Scoring by quarter: 24–14, 18–25, 31–21, 18–27
	Pts: Quinn 23 Rebs: Quinn 10 Asts: Blount 8	Boxscore	Pts: Berisha 15 Rebs: Ukaj 8 Asts: Armstead 9	Arena: National Basketball Arena Attendance: 1,800 Referees: Ritvars Helmšteins (LAT), Martin Van Hoye (BEL), Alexandre Maret (FRA)

Switzerland v  Ireland

20 February 2025 2027 FIBA World Cup pre-qualifiers – 1st round	Switzerland	85–54	Ireland	Fribourg, Switzerland
19:30 (UTC+1)	Scoring by quarter: 30–16, 18–15, 19–9, 18–14
	Pts: Mbala 19 Rebs: three players 5 Asts: Fofana 10	Boxscore	Pts: N. Quinn 18 Rebs: N. Quinn 9 Asts: Flood 3	Arena: Site Sportif Saint-Léonard Attendance: 3,000 Referees: Alessandro Perciavalle (ITA), Arnau Padros (ESP), Ioannis Agrafiotis (GRE)

Azerbaijan v  Ireland

23 February 2025 2027 FIBA World Cup pre-qualifiers – 1st round	Azerbaijan	64–79	Ireland	Baku, Azerbaijan
17:00 (UTC+4)	Scoring by quarter: 16–21, 14–20, 19–13, 15–25
	Pts: S. Shirzadov 14 Rebs: Hall 12 Asts: K. Mammadov 4	Boxscore	Pts: Flood 23 Rebs: N. Quinn 9 Asts: Flood 5	Arena: Baku Sports Palace Attendance: 700 Referees: Zdravko Rutešić (MNE), Duhan Köyiçi (TUR), Nemanja Vlahović (SRB)

Roster for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Pre-Qualifiers matches on 20 and 23 February 2025 against Switzerland and Azerbaijan.

Ireland men's national basketball team roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. G 4 Adrian O'Sullivan 31 – (1993-07-21)21 July 1993 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Ballincollig SG 6 James Hannigan 24 – (2000-08-25)25 August 2000 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) UCC Demons SF 8 David Lehane 23 – (2001-05-10)10 May 2001 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) UCC Demons F/C 9 Rapolas Buivydas 23 – (2002-02-11)11 February 2002 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Tralee Warriors PG 10 Sean Jenkins 25 – (1999-09-22)22 September 1999 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Éanna BC PG 11 Sean Flood (C) 28 – (1996-09-10)10 September 1996 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) London Lions G 12 Conor Quinn 29 – (1995-07-10)10 July 1995 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) Belfast Star F 13 Jordan Blount 28 – (1997-01-05)5 January 1997 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Killorglin F 14 John Carroll 29 – (1995-03-16)16 March 1995 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Sligo All-Stars SF 22 Matt Treacy 26 – (1998-10-23)23 October 1998 1.99 m (6 ft 6 in) Snæfell G 23 Kyle Hosford 35 – (1989-06-27)27 June 1989 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) UCC Demons C 32 Neal Quinn 23 – (2001-05-31)31 May 2001 2.13 m (7 ft 0 in) Aix Maurienne	Head coach Mark Keenan Assistant coach(es) Puff Summers Adrian Fulton Legend (C) Team captain Club – describes last club before the competition Age – describes age on 20 February 2025

• Enda Byrt – (1990–1999)
• /Jay Larrañaga – (2008–2010)
• Mark Keenan – (2014)
• Colin O'Reilly – (2015)
• Pete Strickland – (2016–2018)
• Mark Keenan – (2019–present)

• Cal Bowdler – NBA player for the Atlanta Hawks, but not born in Ireland
• Pat Burke – Only Irish-born to have played in the NBA, played for the Orlando Magic & Phoenix Suns. Also a Euroleague and ULEB Eurocup winner with Panathinaikos and Real Madrid
• Marty Conlon – NBA player for the Seattle SuperSonics, Sacramento Kings, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Bullets, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Clippers, but not born in Ireland
• Billy Donlon – former head coach of the Wright State University men's basketball team and as of 2019 head coach of UMKC.
• Aidan Igiehon – former Louisville and current Grand Canyon player
• Jay Larrañaga – former captain of the Ireland national team
• Donnie McGrath – Irish American, he played for Anadolu Efes, Spartak St. Petersburg and Žalgiris Kaunas amongst others
• Darren Randolph – Irish football goalkeeper and player for the Republic of Ireland national team, father Ed Randolph was an American who played basketball in Ireland. He taught his son basketball and Darren has since represented the national team

1948 Olympic Games: finished 23rd among 23 teams

4 Donald O'Donovan, 5 Frank O'Connor, 6 Paddy Crehan, 7 Jimmy McGee, 8 Bill Jackson, 9 Harry Boland, 10 Tommy Keenan, 12 Dermot Sheriff, 13 Danny Reddin, 14 Paddy Sheriff, 15 Jim Flynn, 16 Christy Walsh (Coach: Donald McCormack)

2016 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries: finished 4th among 8 teams

Ireland men's national basketball team roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. G 4 Adrian O'Sullivan 22 – (1993-07-21)21 July 1993 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) UCC Demons G 5 Paul Dick 25 – (1991-04-30)30 April 1991 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Cheshire Jets G 6 Lorcan Murphy 21 – (1994-12-08)8 December 1994 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Neptune SF 7 Ciarán O'Sullivan 25 – (1990-12-27)27 December 1990 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) Swords Thunder SF 9 Stephen James 24 – (1992-03-16)16 March 1992 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Cheshire Jets C 10 Brian Fitzpatrick 26 – (1989-11-06)6 November 1989 2.04 m (6 ft 8 in) Horsens C 11 Keelan Cairns 24 – (1992-05-26)26 May 1992 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) UCC Demons PF 12 Colin O'Reilly 32 – (1984-01-30)30 January 1984 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) UCC Demons F 13 Jordan Blount 19 – (1997-01-05)5 January 1997 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) UIC Flames C 14 Conor Gallagher 31 – (1984-09-15)15 September 1984 2.08 m (6 ft 10 in) Killester F 15 Kevin Lacey 27 – (1989-02-24)24 February 1989 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) Swords Thunder PG 16 Kyle Hosford 27 – (1989-06-27)27 June 1989 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) UCC Demons	Head coach Colin O'Reilly Assistant coach(es) Puff Summers Legend (C) Team captain Club – describes last club before the competition Age – describes age on 28 June 2016

2018 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries: finished 3rd among 7 teams

Ireland men's national basketball team roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. G 4 Adrian O'Sullivan 24 – (1993-07-21)21 July 1993 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) UCC Demons SG 5 Aidan Quinn 22 – (1995-07-10)10 July 1995 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Belfast Star G 6 Lorcan Murphy 23 – (1994-12-08)8 December 1994 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Templeogue PG 7 Patrick Lyons 22 – (1995-08-16)16 August 1995 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in) Moycullen SG 8 Travis Black 27 – (1991-01-16)16 January 1991 1.94 m (6 ft 4 in) Swords Thunder F 9 Jordan Blount 21 – (1997-01-05)5 January 1997 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) UIC Flames PG 10 Ciaran Roe 25 – (1993-06-21)21 June 1993 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Killester SF 11 Matthew Kelly 30 – (1987-10-15)15 October 1987 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) UCD Marian F 12 Taiwo Badmus 24 – (1993-07-03)3 July 1993 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) Virginia–Wise C 14 Keelan Cairns 26 – (1992-05-26)26 May 1992 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) Belfast Star C 15 Eoghain Kiernan 21 – (1996-07-10)10 July 1996 2.06 m (6 ft 9 in) Killester C 16 Paul Freeman 35 – (1983-03-31)31 March 1983 2.00 m (6 ft 7 in) Moycullen	Head coach Pete Strickland Assistant coach(es) Ioannis Liapakis Legend (C) Team captain Club – describes last club before the competition Age – describes age on 26 June 2018

2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries: finished 1st among 5 teams

Ireland men's national basketball team roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. No. Name Age – Date of birth Height Club Ctr. G 4 Adrian O'Sullivan 28 – (1993-07-21)21 July 1993 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Carbajosa PG 5 Christopher Fulton 19 – (2002-06-24)24 June 2002 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) Lafayette College G 6 Lorcan Murphy 26 – (1994-12-08)8 December 1994 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) Templeogue G 7 Sean Flood 24 – (1996-09-10)10 September 1996 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Karlsruhe PG 8 Kyle Hosford 32 – (1989-06-27)27 June 1989 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) UCC Demons F 9 Eoin Quigley 29 – (1991-09-18)18 September 1991 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Tralee Warriors PG 10 Ciaran Roe 28 – (1993-06-21)21 June 1993 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) Killester F 11 Neil Randolph 29 – (1992-02-29)29 February 1992 1.96 m (6 ft 5 in) Templeogue C 12 Will Hanley 31 – (1990-03-12)12 March 1990 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) Hebraica Macabi F 13 Jordan Blount 24 – (1997-01-05)5 January 1997 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Carbajosa F 14 John Carroll 26 – (1995-03-16)16 March 1995 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) Zamora C 15 Jason Killeen (C) 36 – (1985-01-22)22 January 1985 2.09 m (6 ft 10 in) Templeogue	Head coach Mark Keenan Assistant coach(es) Adrian Fulton Puff Summers Legend (C) Team captain Club – describes last club before the competition Age – describes age on 10 August 2021

• 2013–2016 Macron
• 2016–2024 Kappa
• 2024–present Nike

• Sport in Ireland
• Ireland women's national basketball team
• Ireland men's national under-20 basketball team
• Ireland men's national under-18 basketball team
• Ireland men's national under-16 basketball team
• Ireland men's national 3x3 team
• Super League

• Official website
• Ireland FIBA profile
• Ireland National Team – Men at Eurobasket.com