Mullingar girl called up for Irish U16 basketball trials

Mullingar girl Ciara Byrne has been chosen to take part in trials being run by Basketball Ireland for the Irish U16 girls’ team, the Westmeath Examiner has learned.

Ciara (15), who is heading into transition year at Loreto College, Mullingar, will be among a number of talented young Irish basketball players trying out for international selection at Gormanstown on Sunday August 23.

The invitation came after Ciara was talent-spotted at Basketball Ireland academies in recent years.

“She was born with a basketball in her hands!” said Ciara’s mam, Sinead. “Ciara has worked very hard, and being called for the trials is a huge boost.

“It’s great for her to get the recognition and now she hopes to seize her chance as best she can.”

Ciara, whose elder sister Jessica is also a talented ball player, used to live in Moate, where her passion for basketball was fostered by Athlone-based basketball coach Paddy Mullally, who coached the sport in her school.

After moving to Walshestown, she took up club basketball while in sixth class at Sonna NS, joining the Streete Warriors club. From there, she made the cut for the North East Basketball Board’s North East Knights regional team, travelling to Spain for tournaments.

Like Kerry legend Kieran Donaghy, Ciara is as handy with a Gaelic football as she is with a basketball, playing U16 football for Shandonagh.

Standing 5’8” tall despite her tender years, the Walshestown resident has the height profile to go on and make it in either sport.

But as basketball is her first love, the invitation to Gormanstown comes carries extra special significance.