Basketball player with strong Mayo roots to represent Ireland at U16 Youth EuroBasket

A young basketball player that is a native of America has been named in the Ireland U16 team that will compete in the FIBA Youth EuroBasket tournament in North Macedonia over the coming days, with him having strong roots in one Mayo parish.

Aidan McGrath, who hails from Quincy, near Boston, is grandson of Kevin and Ita McGrath of Quincy and Koilmore, Claremorris, and has a number of relations in the Claremorris region including the McGrath family of Garryedmond. He qualifies to represent Ireland through the heritage rule.  

Aidan, who has been to Claremorris, on a few occasions, took up basketball at the age of five and has secured various accolades while progressing through the age grades.

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Now representing his high school, Thayer Academy, and his club Expressions Elite, and standing at 6'7" tall, he continues to impress in the power forward position. His selection for this competition is a tremendous honour for Aidan and his family.

Ireland have been drawn in Group B alongside Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Poland and hosts North Macedonia, beginning with a tough opening contest with Slovakia on Thursday, August 7.

Aidan’s progress will be closely followed by his many relatives and friends both here in the Claremorris area and also in Glenfarne in Co Leitrim.