It also marks a last appearance for international star Claire Melia in the National Basketball Arena before her move to the Spanish top flight.
The 25-year-old joins Baxi Ferrol in the north of the basketball-obsessed country later this month, having won two leagues and a cup with four different clubs in Ireland.
The Kildare woman’s success here previously sparked the interest of the Spanish club, who have sought her signature for several years.
But she decided against their initial offer which came at a difficult time for Melia when her mother tragically passed away in 2021.
“Just with stuff at home then, like with mammy passing, I’d rather stay at home,” Melia recalls of their initial interest.
Another approach came from Spain recently. “But when they contacted me this time, it was a good offer. Like, you’re getting an apartment, a car and you’re getting paid to play basketball. Like, anyone would love to do it.
“I used to work in a creche so it’s a lot different than getting up in the morning to look after 50 kids.”
So excitement must be building ahead of the switch?
“Ah, it’s something different. I don’t really get too excited about things now but it’s a change like.”
Ireland will hope for a much-needed boost against Denmark (5pm) and the Netherlands (4pm, tomorrow) after a challenging EuroBasket qualification campaign saw defeats to France and Israel.
Two recent friendly losses to Uganda in Germany do not bode well, even if Melia hit 25 points in one game. She draws little from recent records.
“We played the Netherlands in recent years in a EuroBasket game and we lost by three points. So it’s close enough, but teams change,” Melia says.
“I don’t really know who is on the Danish team so I’ll have to see what [head coach] James [Weldon] has prepared for us.”
Mark Keenan’s men will hope for a similar boost against Denmark in Tallaght tonight (8pm) and then again tomorrow (7pm).
Captain John Carroll will play his first home international game since coming out of international retirement in that encounter.
Following a troublesome ACL injury, the Dubliner had announced his retirement shortly after February’s World Cup qualifying window. Carroll will hope to improve things time around after two defeats in that campaign.
Tickets for ‘Bank Holiday Basketball’ international series at the National Basketball Arena can be bought on ireland.basketball/tickets