THROUGH Joseph Hargrow of Bulgaden, Limerick will have an interest in the Irish Wheelchair Basketball team competing at the European Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria, early next week.
Selected in the 10-strong squad by head coach Con Coughlan is veteran Hargrow of Limerick Celtics.
Hargrow is a past minor hurling player with Limerick.
Around this time (2003), he was involved in a serious road traffic accident which changed life’s direction for the young sports star.
Ireland are listed to meet Sweden and Finland on Monday, Armenia on Tuesday, and Beligium on Wednesday in the group stages.
If progress is obtained, potential semi-final opponents for Ireland are Serbia, Czech Republi, Bulgaria, Hungary, or Denmark.
Ahead of depature, Hargrow explained: “We have a great squad, and it was tough missing out so narrowly last time around. We’ve worked hard and even at club level, the teams in Ireland are pushing each other to be better every season. We’re ready and hopefully we’ll leave Bulgaria with promotion (from Division C to B) sealed.”
Coach Coughlan added that “preparations have gone well with great buy in from the squad. We don’t play on the first day of the competition so we will get to see the other teams playing.”
“Both groups are strong, but for the moment we have to concentrate on our side of the draw and take it one game at a time. On day two of the competition, we have two games facing Sweden and Finland, followed by Armenia on day three and lastly Belgium.
“We are conscious there are some quality nations in our group with two of the sides previously playing in the A & B Championships. We’re going to leave it all out on the court and give it our best from all involved.”
All games will be broadcast live via IWBF Europe’s YouTube channel.
