Rachel named on Ireland’s U18 Women’s basketball squad
Local student Rachel Lynch, is among the 12-person squad named on the Ireland U18 women’s team to compete at the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship in Bulgaria.
Head coach Tommy O’Mahony, has named the Coláiste an Chroí Naofa student, who has 5 caps under her belt, on the team ahead of the championships set to get underway on June 30.
It comes after the squad tasted success in the U18 Four Nations tournament in Cardiff, beating England, Scotland and Wales earlier this month.
The principal of Rachel’s school Colm O’Corcora, Coláiste an Chroí Naofa in Carraig na bhFear, was among the first to congratulate the teenager on her wonderful achievement.
“It is no surprise to us here in CCN that Rachel made the U18 Irish team. Rachel is a student who is dedicated to her studies and to basketball and always achieves the goals she sets for herself. We are very proud of Rachel and look forward to cheering her on in June,” Mr O’Corcora said.
NATURAL LEADERSHIP
Rachel started playing with Glanmire Basketball Club at just six years of age and later moved to Brunell Basketball Club in 2018 at the age of 14. During her time with Brunell, Rachel has played in many finals and they recently won the championship beating Limerick Celtics.
This year, Rachel captained the Brunell squad and has shown great leadership ability.
In recent years, the local student has played on the U16 and U17 Irish squads and has represented Ireland in Slovakia and Denmark.
The Lynch family are no strangers to representing their country on the big stage as both Rachel’s mother and sister Tara, also played basketball for Ireland.
In preparation for the European Championship, the U18 Irish squad will travel to Slovakia and Luxembourg to play some friendly games ahead of the tournament.
Ireland secured a 9th place finish following a successful FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship campaign a year ago and head coach Tommy O’Mahony, returns three players from that roster - Caitlin Gloeckner (Waterford Wildcats), Rebecca Sexton (Brunell BC) and Lucy Devoy (Limerick Celtics) will be key players if Ireland are to repeat that impressive showing.
Sexton is one of four Brunell BC players selected, along with local players Rachel, Ava Walshe and Issy McSweeney.
“After such as successful Four Nations tournament, making the final cut was always going to be an extremely difficult decision,” O’Mahony said on his selection.
“There were many tough choices but we feel we have a team capable of competing at the highest level. With the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship being so early this year, we are well aware we need to hit the ground running and cannot waste any time in our preparation. We are really looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead,” he added.
Ireland’s U18 Women’s squad are: Caitlin Gloeckner (Waterford Wildcats), Rebecca Sexton, Ava Walshe, Rachel Lynch, Issy McSweeney (All Brunell BC), Clara Boyce (Liffey Celtics), Grace Prenter (Meteors BC), Emer Dunne (SETU Carlow), Katie O’Sullivan (Ongar Chasers), Lucy Devoy (Limerick Celtics), Emma Tolan (McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles), Caoimhe Gilligan (Dublin Lions).