Gerry Fitzpatrick has named a panel of seventeen for the European Championship games in November, ten of which will be chosen for the final squad. Ireland tip off the second leg of the semi-final round with a home game against Germany on November 20 and away to Croatia and FYROM on the 23 and 27 respectively.
Point-guard Billy Donlon has retired from International basketball to pursue a full time career in coaching. Despite announcing his retirement last year, Gareth Maguire has been named on the panel and will participate in Ireland's friendly against England on 18 November. There are a number of new additions to the panel, including Michael Bree who started the Superleague season with Gleneagle Lakers, but recently signed with Beauvais, France.
Neptune's Stephen McCarthy is back on the Irish panel after a few years absence, while Demon's Shane Coughlan is a new addition. Star of the Sea's John Leahy received his Irish passport in time for the 2002/03 season and has been named, but is yet to confirm his availability for the games. A huge asset to the Irish team will be the new signing of 6'10'' Cal Bowdler. Bowdler made his NBA debut for the Atlanta Hawks, against the Washington Wizards in 2001 and is currently signed with Kinder Bologna.
Irish panel1 Tim Kennedy (Deportiva Ovarense, Spain) 2 Jay Larranaga (Canarias Telecom, Spain) 3 Dan Callahan (Cordivari Roseto, Italy) 4 Michael Bree (Beauvais, France) 5 Adrian Fulton (Sx3 Star) 6 Mike Mitchell (Avitos Giessen, Germany) 7 Damien Sealy (Dart Killester) 8 Marty Conlon (SS Basket Napoli, Italy) 9 John O'Connell (Haribo London Towers, UK) 10 Jimmy Moran (Canarias Telecom, Spain) 11 Cal Bowdler (Kinder Bologna, Italy) 12 Glenn Sekunda 13 John Leahy (Sx3 Star) 14 Shane Coughlan (Mardyke UCC Demons) 15 Stephen McCarthy (Neptune) 16 Gareth Maguire (Sx3 Star) 17 Mick Richardson (Birmingham Bullets, UK).
Filed by Johnny Proby
