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Leeroy Odiahio, Rapolas Buivydas and Daire Kennelly.
THE Irish Under 18 basketball squad for the 2018/19 season was announced yesterday and features three Tralee teenagers.
Mercy Mounthawk students Daire Kennelly and Leeroy Odiahio, and CBS The Green’s Rapolas Buivydas were named in the 23-player strong squad by Ireland Under 18 men’s head coach, Paul Kelleher.
The three, who are also part of Tralee Warriors set-up, have been making great strides over the past number of years and just a couple of weeks ago Rapolas was named a joint winner of the International Male Player of the Year award at the Basketball Ireland International Players and Coaches of the Year 2018 awards.
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The good news comes a week after it was announced that brothers Tim and Sean Pollmann-Daamen, from Mercy Mounthawk and Tk Bobcats made the 18-player Irish Under 16 squad under Ireland Under 16 men’s head coach, Pat Price, also of Tralee Warriors.
Speaking about that announcement, Coach Price stated: “We are excited about our next phase with the Ireland Under 16 programme. We have competitive development matches scheduled in Minsk in December which will certainly help the squad prepare for what’s to come at Europeans next August.
“It’s always difficult when it comes to squad reductions, but we know those players will continue to progress via the newly established Academy. Keeping talented players in the system bodes well for long term player progression and international team development as well.”
