2025/26 Women’s BIDL Team

The 2025 season marks an exciting new chapter for Cumann Cispheile Mhaigh Cuilinn with the formation of its first-ever BIDL team. Long recognised as one of the leading forces in player development in the west of Ireland, the club has taken another bold step by entering the Basketball Ireland Development League, providing a vital pathway for young talent to compete at a high level. Under the guidance of Coach Grant Olsson – captain of Maigh Cuilinn’s Men’s National League side – the team blends youth and experience in what promises to be a memorable debut campaign.

A quick glance at the roster shows the strength of Maigh Cuilinn’s basketball nursery. Players such as Lily Hynes and Aoibhín Connolly, both former Irish underage internationals, bring invaluable experience from their time in the Superleague with University of Galway Mystics. Add in the sharpshooting threat of Orla Cunningham, a current U18 standout already making her mark from beyond the arc, and it is clear that this side has the firepower to compete.

The team also benefits from the influence of seasoned athletes transitioning into basketball at a high level. Julie-Ann Russell, well known across Ireland for her achievements as an international soccer player, has swapped boots for sneakers and quickly become a key figure for Maigh Cuilinn’s Senior Ladies. Alongside her, the likes of Ellen Walsh, Sinead Maxwell, Siobhan Doran and Justine Gadioux – all battle-tested in Galway League play and part of last season’s Galway Cup finalists – provide experience and composure in crucial moments.

Maigh Cuilinn’s BIDL squad is not only about homegrown stars. With Kerry natives Lara Flynn, formerly of Tralee Magic, and Sarah Folan from Dingle, the team has added both versatility and toughness. Corrib underage players Sophie Brennan, and Muireann Elliman who are linking with Maigh Cuilinn for the season are eager to make their mark under Olsson’s guidance. Rounding out the roster, young prospects such as Eabheann Conneely, Jenny McDonagh and Ruby Kelly, represent the future of the club. And with Leah Cunningham – another former Irish underage international and a dominant presence in the post – carrying on the famous Cunningham basketball tradition, there is plenty of pedigree to draw from.

Together, this diverse group embodies the spirit of Maigh Cuilinn basketball: local roots, national ambition, and a commitment to player development at every level. Their debut season in the BIDL is not just about results but about laying foundations for the next generation of Irish basketball talent. As they step onto the court, this team carries with them the pride of Maigh Cuilinn and the excitement of a club continually breaking new ground.