Scannell shines in Irish return

GEELONG United Supercat and Irish national Jessica Scannell did not disappoint in her first national team appearance in 14 years, despite the side’s big loss to France.

Ireland would ultimately fall to France 100-48 on November 12 in its FIBA EuroBasket 2025 qualifier, but Scannell made her presence felt immediately after stepping onto the floor.

Scannell, known for her sharpshooter eye at Geelong United, nailed a pair of early threes, adding a third triple early in the second term before France pulled away from the contest.

The Cork product secured the second-most points and minutes among her countrywomen, finishing the contest with 14 points across 29 minutes of play.

Scannell spoke with Basketball Ireland following the clash and expressed her gratitude to be back in the national team ranks.

“This is where we want to be, we want to play these teams like France, who are literally number seven in the world, and we were right there with them in that first quarter. Obviously it slipped from there, but I’m very proud of the group,” she said.

“Personally, I’d love to have the opportunity to be back in the green again, it’s super special to me.

“It’s been hard for me living across the world playing in Australia, I haven’t had a break all season, then coming into camp for this following the season ending in August back in Australia, so I definitely need to have a bit of a break.

“I’m 34, I got some injury stuff to take care of and re-evaluate what my future is for my basketball career.

“Never say never. I never thought I’d be playing this long, so who knows, maybe I’ll be back in the jersey one day.”

Scannell’s next chance to suit up for her country will come early next year when Ireland takes on Israel on February 8, after the clash was postponed in October due to security concerns in the Gaza region.