Garvey’s Tralee Warriors launched their 2022/2023 season at Garvey’s Supervalu in Tralee this evening (Monday) ahead of the start of the Super League campaign this weekend. The League and National Cup champions took a short break from preparations for the opening game of the season, and what promises to be a stern early test for John Dowling’s new look charges, at home to local League rivals Flexachem KCYMS Killorglin on Saturday night.
Following the departure of four of their outstanding players from last season namely; Aaron Calixte, Nikola Roso, Ron Elksnis and Brandon Cotton, the Warriors recruitment department were busy over the summer bringing in three exciting additions to the set up.
Andrée Michelsson steps into the point guard spot vacated by last season’s Super League Player of the Year Aaron Calixte and the 6’2’’ 25 year old Swede will lead the Warriors offence from the top of the key. Michelsson, a former Icelandic U20 international, joins the Warriors following a season with BBC Rendsburg Twisters in Germany where he averaged over 21 points per game.
The dynamic American De’Ondre Jackson comes into the Warriors set up hoping to build on his rookie season last year when he tormented defences up and down the country with NUIG Maree. He finished the season in third place in the scoring stats in the League with only Aaron Calixte and Killester’s Karon Harrell bettering his average of just over 20 points per game.
The Warriors third import player is 6’8’’ forward Matija Jokic. The 24 year old and former U20 international with his native Montenegro, has experience of playing in both Iceland and Germany with Hottur Egilsstadir and Recklinghausen respectively.
Kieran Donaghy, Eoin Quigley, Darragh O’Hanlon, Daniel Jokubaitis and captain Fergal O’Sullivan bring their collective wealth of skill and experience to the squad. The younger players who made their breakthrough last season James Fernane, Stephen Bowler and Keelan Crowe also take their places on the roster.
Stepping up to Super League duty this season is Jack Tobin, linking from St. Brendan’s, and Irish U18 international Aivaras Ousis coming from Tralee Magic who will both get their first taste of Super League action in the coming weeks. The Warriors squad is completed by Zygimantas Kaletka and the Fleming brothers Padraig and Aaron.
The Warriors will be coached by John Dowling, assisted by Gareth Moore and Jimmy Diggins and the team managed again this season by Kathleen Collins.
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors take on Flexachem KCYMS Killorglin in the Tralee Sports Complex on Saturday night at 7.30pm. Season tickets at €100 for adults and €50 for children and standard match tickets at €10 for adults and €5 for children are available to purchase on the Tralee Warriors website – traleewarriors.com