Latest news with #FIBAEuropeanChampionshipforSmallCountries
The 42
5 days ago
- Sport
- The 42
James Weldon reappointed as basketball head coach of Ireland women's team
JAMES WELDON HAS been reappointed as head coach of the Ireland senior women's team for the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers in November. Weldon was first appointed to the position in 2018, and his extension was confirmed at a recent meeting of Basketball Ireland's Elite Performance Committee (EPC) ahead of the qualifying draw in August. Advertisement This will be Weldon's third FIBA Women's EuroBasket campaign having steered the side through the 2023 and 2025 qualifiers. He previously guided Ireland to a silver medal in the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in 2021. Basketball Ireland Hall of Famer, Jillian Hayes, UCD Marian head coach Ioannis Liapakis and Team Manager Dolores Geaney will also return as part of Weldon's coaching staff for the next two years. 'The previous FIBA Women's EuroBasket campaign was incredibly challenging to navigate,' Weldon said following his reappointment. 'I'm very excited to find out who our opponents will be for the forthcoming qualifiers and embracing a new format which will give us more time in camp during each window. 'We hope we can build on the great team performance against Latvia last time out, when we came agonisingly close to causing an upset. We have strong squad depth now, having brought in a number of new players over the last couple of years, which should stand us in good stead when we return to competitive action.' The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers first round will see Ireland drawn in a four-team group, with three fixtures this November, followed by three fixtures in February 2026. The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers second round then begins in November 2026 and concludes in February 2027, with three games in each window.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
James Weldon reappointed as Ireland senior women's head coach
James Weldon has been re-appointed as Ireland senior women's head coach for the upcoming FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers, which get underway in November. His extension was confirmed ahead of the qualifying draw in August. It will be Weldon's third FIBA Women's EuroBasket campaign, since taking charge in 2018, having steered the side in the 2023 and 2025 qualifiers. He previously led Ireland to silver in the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in 2021. The Kerry native is also a decorated coach domestically, winning nine national titles with UL Wolves and being named Women's Super League Coach of the Year on three occasions during his four-year tenure in Limerick. Having had to face the third-placed team in FIBA's World Rankings, France, as well as number 29 Latvia in the most recent FIBA Women's EuroBasket qualifiers, Weldon is hopeful that the upcoming draw for the 2027 qualifiers will be a little kinder. 'The previous FIBA Women's EuroBasket campaign was incredibly challenging to navigate. I'm very excited to find out who our opponents will be for the forthcoming qualifiers and embracing a new format which will give us more time in camp during each window,' Weldon said. The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers First Round will see Ireland drawn in a four-team group, with three fixtures this November, followed by three fixtures in February 2026. The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers Second Round then begins in November 2026 and concludes in February 2027, with three games in each window. 'We hope we can build on the great team performance against Latvia last time out, when we came agonisingly close to causing an upset. We have strong squad depth now, having brought in a number of new players over the last couple of years, which should stand us in good stead when we return to competitive action.' There are no changes to Weldon's coaching staff, with Hall of Famer, Jillian Hayes, UCD Marian head coach Ioannis Liapakis and Team Manager Dolores Geaney all returning for the next two years. 'I'd like to thank my staff and players for their support and the incredible hardworking and talented group of players,' continued Weldon. 'I wouldn't be here without my wife Sharon and my extended family, who I owe a huge debt of gratitude towards for allowing me to continue to undertake this considerable, but exciting, challenge. "Finally, I want to acknowledge the Chairperson of the EPC, Professor Deirdre Brennan, the extended committee, Basketball Ireland's CEO John Feehan and all the professional staff for their ongoing hard work and advice.', concluded Weldon.
The 42
24-04-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Mark Keenan to step down as Ireland men's basketball head coach
MARK KEENAN IS stepping down as the Ireland men's basketball head coach after six years in the role. Keenan said: 'I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as Ireland head coach, it's been a great honour to lead my national team. It's now time to pass on the torch to the next head coach to build on what we've achieved over the last six years.' Keenan was appointed in 2019 and led Ireland to trophy success, winning the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries. That tournament victory helped send Ireland into the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 pre-qualifiers, where the team claimed home and away victories over both Cyprus and Luxembourg. Advertisement Keenan subsequently led the side into the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 pre-qualifiers – the first time an Irish side has competed at World Cup level. The team came close to advancing to the next round, having achieved three wins, twice against Azerbaijan and a home victory against Kosovo. Keenan stated: 'There have been so many highs, including winning the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Dublin. Leading our return to FIBA EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers was a big task, but one I and the rest of my coaching staff relished, picking up four wins over Cyprus and Luxembourg, who were both ranked higher than us.' He added: 'Our two home wins last November during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Pre-Qualifiers and the atmosphere at those games will also live long in the memory and we came so close to advancing to the next stage of qualifying, with three wins overall.' The decision follows a meeting between Keenan, Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan and Deirdre Brennan, chair of the Elite Performance Committee, where all parties 'agreed it was time for a change,' according to a statement from Basketball Ireland. Brennan praised Keenan's contribution to Irish basketball. She said: 'Mark has left a legacy with Irish basketball and on behalf of the EPC I'd like to thank him for his outstanding service as head coach of the Irish senior men's team over the last six years, giving us so many wonderful moments.' Feehan said: 'Mark Keenan has given so much to Irish international basketball. As a player he won the FIBA Promotions Cup in 1994 and then 25 years later he was head coach as the team lifted the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, a remarkable feat.'
RTÉ News
24-04-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Mark Keenan steps down as Ireland men's head coach
Mark Keenan is leaving his role as Ireland men's head coach by mutual consent. The decision to step down after six years in the role came following a meeting with Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan and Deirdre Brennan, chairperson of the elite performance committee (EPC). Keenan was appointed in 2019 and led Ireland to silverware inside two years, winning the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries. That tournament helped propel Ireland into the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Pre-Qualifiers, where the team claimed home and away victories over both Cyprus and Luxembourg. Keenan subsequently led the side into the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Pre-Qualifiers - the first time an Irish side has competed at World Cup level. The team came close to advancing to the next round, achieving an impressive three wins, twice against Azerbaijan and a home victory against Kosovo. Home and away losses to top seeds Switzerland ended their interest in World Cup qualification. Speaking about the decision, Keenan said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as Ireland head coach, it's been a great honour to lead my national team. It's now time to pass on the torch to the next head coach to build on what we've achieved over the last six years." He continued: "There have been so many highs, including winning the 2021 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in Dublin. Leading our return to FIBA EuroBasket Pre-Qualifiers was a big task, but one I and the rest of my coaching staff relished, picking up four wins over Cyprus and Luxembourg, who were both ranked higher than us. "Our two home wins last November during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Pre-Qualifiers and the atmosphere at those games will also live long in the memory and we came so close to advancing to the next stage of qualifying, with three wins overall." Brennan praised Keenan's contribution to Irish basketball, adding: "Mark has left a legacy with Irish basketball and on behalf of the EPC I'd like to thank him for his outstanding service as head coach of the Irish senior men's team over the last six years, giving us so many wonderful moments." Basketball Ireland CEO, John Feehan, said: "Mark Keenan has given so much to Irish international basketball. As a player he won the FIBA Promotions Cup in 1994 and then 25 years later he was head coach as the team lifted the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, a remarkable feat."
