WHILE Ireland's vast improvement in men's international basketball gained more admirers over the weekend, their progress in the European championship qualifying competition was ended by a 78-69 defeat by Holland yesterday at the National Arena in Tallaght.

A win over Norway by 78-65 on Saturday night gave Ireland the opportunity of qualifying for the semi final rounds of the competition if they could beat the Dutch yesterday but that proved beyond them.

Holland led for almost the entire game but were only sure of victory with a matter of seconds remaining. Up to then Ireland's courage and concentration ties and tired, injured limbs. Yet the Dutch could never manage to lead by more than nine points.

In the first half the towering Dutch defence repeatedly frustrated the inside moves of Alan Tomidy and Ken Lacey but fortunately two three pointers from Adrian Full on helped keep the halftime deficit to manageable proportions 29-35.

As the second half progressed, Holland threatened to take control at times but shrewd defence and a well timed pair of three pointers each by Allan Con Ion and John O'Connell helped Ireland stay in touch. With three minutes to go the deficit was reduced to three points only for Holland to go nine clear again. Then in the final minutes Karl Donnelly drove through to narrow the gap to four points (67-71) with 41 seconds remaining but that was as close as Ireland got.

The final buzzer brought an end to another bold but vain Irish performance following on Friday's three point loss to Belgium. As a result of Holland's victory and Belgium defeat of Norway by 108-75 in the first match yesterday, both countries progress to the next stage, with Ireland one place off qualification in third spot.