BASKETBALLER Connor Murtagh is delighted at being selected for the Great Britain under 20s squad for the European championships in July.

The former St Cuthbert’s High pupil was initially chosen in the 18-man squad for the side’s warm-up tournaments, the Tourcoing Mondial tournament in France and the Girona tournament in Spain.

And on returning to the squad’s University of Essex training camp, Murtagh was informed that he had made the cut for the final 12 who will travel to Crete for the European championships which see Great Britain begin their campaign on July 8. “He’s absolutely over the moon to be going, it’s such an honour for him, we’re all delighted,” said grandmother Gillian Murtagh.

Although the side suffered defeats to Israel, France and Montenegro they did pick up a great win over the USA in their final match of the tournament to finish seventh.

And, despite the disruption of a cancelled flight and the team having to be diverted to Brussels for a night on their way to Spain, the side picked up a win over Belarus in their final match with Murtagh scoring in the final play.

At six foot five, Murtagh, originally from Clock Face, plays for the Manchester Magic club who he joined in 2012 after having been involved with Chester Juniors previously.

Great Britain opened their campaign against Latvia on July 8 before taking on Hungary, Greece and Lithuania.