The Irish women's basketball team came within a single point of qualifying for the challenge round of the European Championships in Tripoli, Greece yesterday.
In a match which decided which country progressed further in the championship, Ireland lost 63-62 to Denmark.
The deciding game was close all the way through, with Ireland holding the advantage on numerous occasions. At half-time they were 30-29 ahead and again, having surrendered the lead in the early part of the second-half, they surged ahead 50-46 with eight minutes remaining.
Denmark, however, then moved in front 61-60 with just 20 seconds left on the clock.
At that point Michelle Maguire made two free-throws to put Ireland a point in front; but the Danes then drew a foul off the Irish in the closing seconds and landed both free shots to claim a victory 63-62.
Meanwhile, Ireland's men concluded their group campaign in Switzerland yesterday with a loss to Portugal by 100-85 in a match which had no significant bearing on Ireland's fate. Qualification was out of their reach following their narrow defeat to Belgium on Saturday night.
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