Nov 25,2024
Ireland 91-85 Kosovo
Ireland made it back-to-back wins in their 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying campaign, with a crucial victory over Kosovo at the National Basketball Arena this evening.
Seeking to back up Thursday's dominant performance against Azerbaijan, Mark Keenan's side made a whirlwind start in Tallaght, racing into a 22-2 lead, back-to-back three pointers from John Carroll setting the stage for a first-quarter power play.
The hosts' professional foreign-based players to the fore, notably naturalised American-born Neal Quinn and Dubliner Sean Flood racking up 23 and 21 points respectively.
The visitors, who beat Ireland 83-76 in Pristina in February, shot back in the second quarter, whittling Ireland's advantage down to five points, the hosts leading 42-37 at the break.
However, with London Lions player Flood draining numerous three-pointers, alongside lay-ups from Rory Downey and Carroll pushed Ireland's lead back into comfortable double-digits, leading 73-58 heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the redoubtable Quinn continued to make hay on rebounds and from the free-throw line, the France-based player ended a seven-point streak from the Kosovans, to score six unanswered points himself and nudge Ireland into an 81-67 lead.
The visitors were in a better groove by now but another lay-up from Quinn and a vital three-pointer from Paul Dick left Ireland with a commanding 91-76 advantage into the final couple of minutes.
While the away side mounted a late surge, rattling over nine unanswered points, it was much too late and Ireland eased to a 91-85 finish, a mini-brawl ensuing after the final whistle of a physical encounter.
The win nudges Ireland up to a second in the group, with a 2-2 record and still in contention to qualify for the next round, ahead of two away fixtures against group leaders Switzerland and Azerbaijan in February.
"It was very intense, wasn't it? We got the start we wanted, like we did on Thursday. Look, it's hard to keep pushing ahead and ahead. So, they (Kosovo) came with the run and got back in the game.
"We kept getting it to 13 or 15 (point margin) and they kept getting it back under 10. Just a little bit of sloppy play down the stretch where we turned over the ball when we shouldn't have that allowed them to get that close.
"It wasn't perfect. But I'll take not perfect and a six point win.
"Overall, beating Kosovo, beating Azerbaijan at home in back to back windows. It's absolutely what the target was coming into the window. Absolutely delighted with the effort from the guys."
The third and final international window arrives next February, with Ireland facing into away games with unbeaten Switzerland before concluding against Azerbaijan three days later.
"It's a big task but we're going to be up for it, absolutely," said Keenan. "We owe Switzerland a beating. We've been a close a few times, and not close a couple of times.
"We're going all out in that first game in Switzerland. We have to try and get that win and keep pressure on them.
"We've shown we're a team capable at a really good level in Europe and we're all enjoying that journey."
The group winners and the best runner-up from three groups advance to the second round of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 European pre-qualifying.
