Claire Melia 12
Baxi Ferrol and Claire Melia Fall Short but Stand Tall
This is meant to be a neutral basketball outlet but how could it be on this night. Baxi Ferrol, with Monasterevin and Ireland’s Claire Melia took the court in search of a dream. Emmet Ryan was there to witness their battle with Villeneuve d’Ascq in the second leg of the Eurocup Women final. Not all […]
Claire Melia Stars for Baxi Ferrol With All to Play for in Lille
The atmosphere was electrifying. The game intense and the battle was enrapturing. Emmet Ryan on a memorable night in Galicia as Claire Melia and Baxi Ferrol kept hope alive despite losing the first leg of their Eurocup Women final to Villeneuve d’Ascq This is what I came here for. Will all respect to the wonderful […]
Baxi Ferrol, Claire Melia, and a City United
BallinEurope’s Emmet Ryan is on site in Ferrol for this week’s Eurocup Women final between Baxi Ferrol and Villeneuve d’Ascq. Ahead of the game, where his main focus has obviously been on Claire Melia, he took in the town and what this occasion means to it. This Saturday, in between the two legs of the […]
The Claire Melia effect on Ireland
BallinEurope’s Emmet Ryan is on the ground in Ferrol this week for the Eurocup Women final between Baxi Ferrol and Villeneuve d’Ascq. Back home in Ireland, the impact of Claire Melia’s performance with the Galician club is already being felt. He spoke to some of the people in the know back in her homeland about […]
Claire Melia, Baxi Ferrol Make History with Eurocup Final Berth
Battered, bruised, and brilliant. Baxi Ferrol have brought their Cinderella story to the final of Eurocup Women. In the process, Monasterevin’s Claire Melia has become the first Irish women to reach a major club final in basketball. Emmet Ryan on an emotional night. The wine was rationed. I needed to make sure I kept enough […]
What Claire Melia and Baxi Ferrol’s run means for Irish basketball
It’s a small, by Spanish standards, town in Galicia yet it has become the focal point for Irish basketball. Claire Melia and her amazing run with Baxi Ferrol in Eurocup Women will have a lengthy impact on the sport here no matter what comes next. It’s a big sign that nobody is sick of talking […]
The 5 Greatest Performances in Irish Basketball History
There’s no prizes for guessing the top choice in this selection but Emmet Ryan has scoured the archives in hard mode. Who will join Claire Melia in this ranking of the top 5 individual singles game performances in basketball by Irish citizens? Welcome to hard mode. That’s how I’d best describe this. The easy choice […]
The other 5 – Rare company for Ireland’s Claire Melia
Claire Melia will make history this Thursday. The BAXI Ferrol forward will become the first Irish woman to appear on the roster of a team in a semi-final of any European club basketball competition. Five men can claim that honour, Emmet Ryan explains the odd history of the other five. Basketball has a long history […]
History is no obstacle to Melia
With Trinity Meteors seeking a first Irish cup crown since 1996, Claire Melia spoke to Emmet Ryan about her journey back to the biggest stage of the season Few things are certain in sport, just ask the San Diego Chargers, but I’m willing to bet that few things are going to phase Claire Melia in […]
Melia bests Greenberg in compelling cup final duel
Bailey Greenberg and Claire Melia delivered a battle for the ages in the National Basketball Arena but it was Glanmire’s Melia who had the final say to claim the Irish cup crown Speed kills, Glanmire showed that from the off, but Claire Melia could slow the game down to her liking as the Ireland international […]
Tough lessons well learned by Ireland on Euros return
The opening quarter removed any doubt about the result but Ireland’s first appearance in a EuroBasket qualifier since 2009 was a valuable learning experience that offered real promise for the future after a rotten start. Emmet Ryan reports from Amsterdam. It’s a step up. Everyone knew it was going to be but you don’t know […]
Ireland on the edge of glory after victory over Israel
Ireland were pushed to the brink by a speedy Israel side but, once more, Claire Melia played a captain’s role to carry her side to an historic victory in the quarter finals of the FIBA Europe U18 Women’s division B championships in Dublin. On a night where he was more goosebumps than man, Emmet Ryan […]