Spain-bound Adam Mullally relishing rise of 3×3 in Ireland

Irish 3×3 basketball player Adam Mullally is embracing the growing prominence of the sport in Ireland as he prepares to travel to Spain for another international tournament. The Drogheda Wolves athlete has become a regular fixture on Ireland’s Under-23 3×3 team, contributing to the nation’s rising profile in the fast-paced, half-court discipline.

Mullally’s recent involvement with the Irish setup comes at a pivotal time for 3×3 basketball in the country. Basketball Ireland received €200,000 in funding through Sport Ireland’s Performance Development Programme, specifically allocated to strengthen the 3×3 pathway. This investment follows the men’s senior team’s historic debut in the FIBA Europe Cup in Copenhagen last September and the women’s team’s continued participation in the FIBA 3×3 World Series, where they are currently ranked 39th globally and 21st in Europe.

The men’s team holds a world ranking of 55th in their category, reflecting steady progress on the international stage. Basketball Ireland’s senior technical officer, Matthew Hall, has emphasized that 3×3 represents a realistic route for Irish athletes to qualify for future Olympic Games, a goal now supported by targeted funding and structured development programmes.

For Mullally, the opportunity to represent Ireland at youth and senior levels has been a rewarding experience. Speaking about his journey, he highlighted the value of teamwork and dedication, crediting his teammates Sean, James, Mike, and coach Darren for their collective effort in recent tournaments. His most notable achievement to date came at the Nations League 3×3 tournament in Bucharest, Romania, where Ireland secured a historic victory over Lithuania — ranked fourth in the world at the time — before finishing in third place overall.

As 3×3 continues to gain traction globally — having featured in the last two Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024) — Ireland is positioning itself to compete at the highest level. With increased funding, structured player pathways, and growing participation, athletes like Adam Mullally are at the forefront of a movement aiming to elevate Irish basketball on the world stage.

Now bound for Spain, Mullally looks forward to another challenge, carrying the momentum of Ireland’s recent successes and the hope of future Olympic qualification.