International

Nov 02 2026

Two uncapped players named in Garlepp's first Ireland WNT squad

New Ireland women’s head coach Thomas Garlepp has named his first squad since taking charge of the side. Aoibheann Donnelly and Katie O’Sullivan are in line for their senior international debuts. 18-year-old Donnelly, of Cleveland Rockets, played for Ireland’s U18’s and U20’s at FIBA Youth EuroBasket tournaments last summer and has also previously represented Ireland at U16 level.

20-year-old Katie O’Sullivan also came up through the Irish underage ranks, featuring for Ireland’s U20 and U18 sides. The VSC Cavan Eagles guard has played all six league games for her club, who have made an impressive 5-1 start to the Domino’s Women’s Super League.

Ireland face Iceland in their opening Group A fixture of FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifiers on November 11^th at the National Basketball Arena, before away fixtures against Azerbaijan and Switzerland on November 14^th and 17^th respectively.

Three of the squad are plying their trade in the SLB, Ella O’Donnell joined Manchester Basketball this season after her four-year stint with Quinnipiac and has helped herself to 36 points across five championship games so far this season. Lucy Coogan, is also in her first season with Essex Rebels after finishing up with Caldwell University, she’s picked up 39 points and 14 rebounds in her opening five games. Completing the trio is forward Maura Fitzpatrick, who is in her second season with Caledonia Gladiators.

Sarah Hickey has been one of the form players in the Domino’s Women’s Super League, she is the league’s fourth highest scorer with 134 points from her six games, averaging 22.3 points. Katie Williamson has also been posting strong numbers domestically for FloMAX Liffey Celtics with a 16.5 ppg average, while Edel Thornton has also played all six domestic games this season, averaging 16 points. Also included in the squad are Caitlin Gloeckner (Cleveland Rockets), Emer Dunne (Career Decisions UCC Glanmire), Hazel Finn (Trinity Meteors), Michelle Clarke (Killester) and Enya Maguire, who is playing with Croatian club KK Studio Zagreb.

Ireland head coach, Thomas Garlepp, said: “It’s a privilege for me to be in the position to select these 13 people to represent their country in November. Myself and staff believe this team will play tough and together through a challenging stretch of games. As coach, my hope is simply that the athletes grow each day and enjoy this opportunity to show Europe what we are about.”

Ireland’s opening game against Iceland on Wednesday 11^th November tips off at 7pm at the National Basketball Arena and is live on the TG4 Player and App, while tickets are available to purchase here.

Ireland WNT squad

Edel Thornton (Gurranabraher Credit Union Brunell), Ella O’Donnell (Manchester Basketball, England), Emer Dunne (Career Decisions UCC Glanmire), Enya Maguire (KK Studio Zagreb, Croatia), Hazel Finn (Trinity Meteors), Katie Williamson (FloMAX Liffey Celtics), Lucy Coogan (Essex Rebels, England), Maura Fitzpatrick (Caledonia Gladiators), Michelle Clarke (Killester), Sarah Hickey (SETU Waterford Wildcats), Aoibheann Donnelly (Cleveland Rockets), Caitlin Gloeckner (Cleveland Rockets) Katie O’Sullivan (VSC Cavan Eagles)