World masters medals for Offaly basketball ladies

TWO Offaly women were thrilled to win medals at the  FIMBA World Maxi-Basketball Championship in Ticino Switzerland.

Tullamore Basketball Club members, Treasa Howell and Irene Wallace both collected medals during a terrific few days with Howell on the silver winning F45 side and Wallace on the F40 squad that won bronze.

The F45s made history by being the first Irish womens' basketball team to play in a World Championship final. Treasa Howell was one of the captains of this team which played seven games in nine days.

They played Germany and Brazil B at the group stage and had a cross group game v Ukraine. The F45s had a record score in their group game v Brazil B of 111 points. This team came out of the group in 2nd place to Germany and played Germany's 2nd team for 16th place and won with a score of 53 to 36.

Next it was the home team, Switzerland in the quarter finals and the F45s proved too strong for the home team with final score of 70-46.  They met Brazil A in the semi-final where they won in overtime by 5 points.

Ireland played Germany's 1st team in the final and unfortunately they lost to a stronger team, the Irish camp having suffered a number of injuries early on in the final.

Above: Irene Wallace, number 6 and the Irish F40 team that won bronze medals.

Irene Wallace's F40s team played 3 group games and topped their group after playing Chilli, Brazil B and Colombia. They beat United Kingdom 58 to 48 and then faced Estonia in the quarter final, winning 43-34. Ireland F40s faced Italy in the semi final and lost but they went on the beat Mexico in the 3rd/4th place play offs and won bronze with a final score of 55-45.

SEE NEXT: Plenty of talking points in opening round of Offaly Senior and Senior “B” Hurling Championships