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InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2022/2023 – Round 19

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 73

Energywise Ireland Neptune 77

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors bowed out of the InsureMyVan.ie Mens Super League on Saturday night after their titanic battle with arch-rivals Energywise Ireland Neptune ended in defeat as the Cork outfit secured the final playoff place in the South Conference with a 77-73 win in front of a capacity crowd in Tralee. A stunning three point score from Neptune’s Jordan Blount with 19 seconds on the clock proved to be the decisive score just as the game looked likely to go to overtime. It was an incredible night at the Tralee Sports Complex and a game that will live long in the memory for those lucky enough to have witnessed it.

Matija Jokic opened the scoring and added another after a three point play from Dre Jackson but when Tarkus Ferguson, Jordan Blount and Roy Downey combined the sides were level for the first of seventeen times in the game. Neptune took the lead with a double from Cian Heaphy and scores from either side of the arc from Blount and despite Daniel Jokubaitis doing likewise the visitors eased their way to a 19-12 lead. However the Warriors finished the quarter in some style with Kieran Donaghy knocking down a three and Rich Dunham converting three from three from the line and when Steven Bowler opened his account on the buzzer, Neptune’s advantage was cut to 21-20 at quarter time.

The game settled into a pattern of score for score in the second with an early double from Jokubaitis either side of a Dunham drive were countered by efforts from Heaphy and Ferguson to see the teams level again. Jackson hit a quick fire five points but Neptune hit back with through Heaphy and a three from point guard Downey before Jokubaitis landed a cracking three to edge the Warriors ahead. Ferguson replied in kind either side of two tough baskets from Blount and despite Eoin Quigley chipping in with a late score for the hosts, Neptune took a 38-37 lead to the dressing room at the half time break.

The capacity crowd really warmed to the action in the third as the sides again continued to stand toe to toe and go score for score with an early Blount double countered by two major scores from Jokubaitis. A hattrick of scores from Jackson was immediately negated by a double from Downey and one handed effort from Nil Sabata. A corner three from Xavier Arriaga levelled the game yet again and when Jackson and Jokic traded inside scores with Ferguson and Heaphy, the sides could not be separated at 55-55 at three quarter time.

The atmosphere built to fever pitch in the final quarter as the Complex was rocked and rolled with both teams continuing the intriguing battle for the final playoff place. It was Neptune that moved ahead with efforts from Ferguson, Arriaga and Blount putting five between the sides. But the Warriors struck back with a belter of three from Quigley and two from two from the line from Donaghy had the game level again at 62-62 at the midway point. Blount continued to cause problems for the Warriors rear-guard and a double from him and another three from Arriaga edged the Leesiders ahead but Jackson struck back with two cracking efforts from beyond the arc to see the teams level for the seventeenth time at 71-71 inside the final minute. The game was there to be won and with the clock ticking down to 19 seconds Ferguson found Blount in space in midcourt and the Irish international arced in a showstopping three from six feet beyond the arc. It was a score good enough to win any game and despite Jackson replying with his third three in a row, in a frantic finale the Warriors fouled to allow Downey hit two free throws to seal the 77-73 win for Neptune. The Cork side who this year celebrate their 75^th year now take their place in the quarter final of Super League where they will take on Belfast Star next weekend. It was an unbelievable game, good enough to grace any court and as thrilling and exciting as any game ever played at the Complex.

Scorers:

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors – Dre Jackson 27, Daniel Jokubaitis 18, Matija Jokic 9

Energywise Ireland Neptune – Jordan Blount 30, Tarkus Ferguson 13, Roy Downey 11

POST MATCH AUDIO

Warriors Coach John Dowling says he is very proud of the manner in which his team resurrected their season with the late run of wins…

He says the Complex is still a special place to play and the Warriors set up is in a great position to plan and move ahead next season…

Neptune’s game winner Jordan Blount says he had a few practice shots before the game and was full of praise of the experience of playing in Tralee…

InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2022/2023 – Round 18

UCD Marian 70

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 88

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors have given themselves every chance to secure a place in the Super League playoffs as they easily accounted for UCD Marian by 88-70 at the Belfield Sports Centre last night. Allied to their win, their nearest rivals EnergyWise Ireland Neptune suffered somewhat of a shock defeat to Griffith College Templeogue who took the Cork side to task at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght to win by 30 points. Neptune’s loss means that next Saturday night’s game is now just a straight win or lose and the Warriors no longer have to bridge a 10 point difference in scores to eclipse their 9 point defeat to Neptune in Cork earlier in the season.

The action in Belfield got off to a blistering start with both teams happy to make it a straight shootout. The sides hit a combined eleven three pointers in an incredible first quarter with Daniel Jokubaitis and Jonathan Jean turning the period into a private three point duel. It was Jean that kept the hosts in the game early as the Warriors set about imposing themselves on the contest and by the time Jokubaitis hit his fourth three, added to by efforts from Matija Jokic, Dre Jackson and Eoin Quigley, the visitors led 19-8. However the Warriors were held scoreless for the remainder of the quarter with Marian turning the tables with two threes from Matthew McGrath, another from Ronan Byrne and a 10 point salvo from Jean saw the hosts lead 27-19 at quarter time.

The second quarter was a more tempered affair and Sortris Miltiadis edged Marian further ahead early on but Rich Dunham replied immediately with a major score for the Warriors and when Jokic and Jackson hit back to back threes, Marian Coach Ioannis Liapakis called an urgent timeout. It had the desired effect as the hosts finished the quarter the stronger with McGrath and Byrne on the mark either side of another Jokubaitis special and at the long break Marian with a 40-35 lead were still the team to beat.

The half time break reinvigorated the Warriors and they came out with a relentless offensive assault on the Marian rear-guard hitting scores from all angles to effectively put the contest beyond the reach of the college side. Quigley, Jokic, Jokubaitis and Jackson simply had their way with Marian who could not live with the Warriors onslaught. Jean continued to spark for the hosts with scores from inside and out but they were purely token efforts as the Warriors took total control of the contest. Jokic knocked down a belter of a three to give the Warriors a double digit lead before Steven Bowler and Dunham added four from four from the line and right on the buzzer Keelan Crowe landed a tough shot to see the Tralee side 66-51 up at the end of the third.

The Warriors kept the scoreboard ticking over early in the fourth with Quigley and Dunham stretching their advantage out to 76-53. Ronan Byrne and Jean kept the home side in touch but when Dunham and Jack Tobin both arced in major scores the gap was out to 25. Jean, who was impressive throughout the contest for Marian, added from either side of the arc to bring his personal tally on the night to 35. Jokic and Jokubaitis quickly replied to maintain the wide margin but David Nash, Ronan Byrne and Dimitrios Theocharis were in range late to put a slightly better look to the final scoreline of 88-70.

Scorers: UCD Marian: Jonathan Jean 35, Ronan Byrne 14, David Nash and Sotiris Miltiadis 4

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors – Daniel Jokubaitis 23, Matija Jokic 17, Rich Dunham 17

The equation for Warriors has become a little clearer and a little more favourable after the action over the weekend. It was assumed that Neptune would continue their run of wins but with defeat in Tallaght they are now on the same number of wins as Warriors going into the final round game next weekend. As it stands the winners of the final game showdown in Tralee next week will make the playoffs. There are permutations still to work themselves out to sort out the final standings but Saturday night was a good night at the office for John Dowling’s charges – next Saturday night has the potential to be even better.

The final round of action in the InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League sees Garvey’s Tralee Warriors host EnergyWise Ireland in a winner take all clash at the Tralee Sports Complex. A bumper crowd is expected so the advice is to get to the venue early. Tip off next Saturday night is at 7.30pm.

InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2022/2023 – Round 17

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 84

Killester 54

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors remain in contention for place in the Super League playoffs after impressively securing their sixth win in a row by overpowering an understrength Killester at a packed Tralee Sport Complex on Saturday night. Killester played without the services of some of their big guns with Gregorio Adon, Conroy Baltimore, Ciaran Roe, Paddy Sullivan and most notably former Warrior Paul Dick all watching on from the sideline. That said, the Warriors took to the court without Daniel Jokubaitis who sat out the contest due to suspension.

The Warriors began with the intent of a team determined to put the contest beyond the reach of the visitors in short order and an early scoring blitz built a 13-4 lead with scores from Eoin Quigley, Dre Jackson and Fergal O’Sullivan from either side of the arc. Killester’s resistance was limited to back to back scores from captain Alan Casey and free throws from Lucas Fernandez but when Steven Bowler, Majita Jokic and Rich Dunham converted either side of another trademark three from Fergal O’Sullivan the Warriors assumed total control. John Behan, Eoghan Kiernan and Eric Westbrookes kept the visitors in range but Jokic hooked in a buzzer beater to see the Warriors lead 27-14 at quarter time.

The Warriors intensity dropped noticeably in the second quarter allowing Killester to play their way back into contention with Tomas Fernandez, Casey and John Behan leading the charge. Rich Dunham arced in a cracking three from the top of the key and Quigley and Jokic backed that up with scores from inside to keep the Warriors double-digit lead intact. However, Behan, Lucas Fernandez. Tomas Fernandez and Kiernan added either side of a Jokic three pointer to see the Dublin side cut the Warriors advantage to 39-30 at the long break.

Killester edged a little closer early in the third through Alan Casey but it sparked an immediate response from the Warriors that saw the hosts move swiftly into a comfortable 20 point lead. Threes from Quigley bookended a 13 point volley that saw Dre Jackson and Jokic both in range. John Behan kept his side in the contest with two threes but when Aivaras Ousis hit a cracking three from the corner, the Warriors took a likely game winning 58-43 lead into the final quarter.

The Warriors cut loose in the fourth and by the midway point had blown out their three quarter time lead out to 72-45. Killester could not live with the Warriors who were finding scores wherever they looked for them and a hat trick of threes from Quigley, Jokic and Jack Tobin spread the game completely. Killester’s token resistance came in the form of scores from Mark Convery, Tomas Fernandez and Casey but the Warriors arguably kept the best until last with brothers Aaron and Padraig Fleming entered the fray to bring the Warriors faithful to their feet by hitting a cracking three pointer each. Another major score from Kieran Donaghy delighted the home crowd as well as the entire Armagh football team and management who were in attendance. Jack Tobin capped an impressive cameo appearance by dropping in his second three of the night to secure an 84-54 win and keep the Warriors Super League flame lit for another week at least.

Scorers: Garvey’s Tralee Warriors – Matija Jokic 19, Eoin Quigley 17, Dre Jackson 12

Moycullen: John Behan 15, Alan Casey 12, Tomas Fernandez 11

There is still the possibility for a twist or two as the teams approach the final two rounds of the regulation season. The equation remains the same for the Warriors – keep winning to set up a potential final game showdown with EnergyWise Ireland Neptune. However, Emporium Cork Basketball could be brought into the fourth place playoff place battle if they fail to secure wins from both their assignments next weekend when they take on DBS Éanna and Killester in back to back fixtures next Saturday and Sunday. All in all it does look like it will come down to a final day showdown with Neptune and a chance for Warriors to stay in the race to defend their title that at the turn of the year looks decidedly unlikely. It promises to be another special night at the Complex so the date for the diary is Saturday 11th March. In the meantime, the Warriors take the trip to Dublin to take on old rivals UCD Marian in a must win game next Saturday with tip off at the Belfield Sports Centre at 7.00pm.

InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2022/2023 – Round 16

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 82

Moycullen 68

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors kept their late season winning streak going as they secured their fifth win in a row on Saturday night by overcoming Moycullen by 82-68 at the Tralee Sport Complex.

The Warriors took early control of the contest after James Connaire landed the opening score of the game for the visitors, and were never headed once Matija Jokic replied and Dre Jackson and Eoin Quigley added to quickly build and early 10-3 lead. Jokic hit a cracking three to push the Warriors ten ahead but scores from Kyle Cunningham, Grant Olssen with two and a three from Joe Tummon saw Moycullen cut the gap back to a single point. The sides were level when Olssen and Cunningham responded to Jacksons add one basket but when Quigley also produced a three point score of his own the hosts eased ahead again. Rich Dunham found a way to land a showpiece buzzer beating score to see the Warriors lead 25-20 at quarter time.

The Warriors picked up the pace and left the visitors reeling as they fired their way to a 40-23 lead midway through the second quarter. Dunham and Jokic shared the scoring with each of them hitting a hat trick of scores including a major effort from Dunham. Olssen stopped the rot for Moycullen but when Quigley added from inside and free throws, with a lead of 44-28, it looked like the Warriors could cut loose before the half time break. To their credit Moycullen keep the Warriors scoreless from then to the buzzer with Olssen, Mateo Libratore, Connaire and Dylan Cunningham on the mark they played their side right back into the game to trail by just 44-39 at the long break.

The Warriors spread the game in the third as Jokic continued to torment the Moycullen defence with a hat trick of scores and despite a reply from Olssen and a Liberatore three, Jokic added from the free throw line to put his side eight points up. Kyle Cunningham, Liberatore and Olssen combined to keep the Galway outfit in touch but a late Dunham cameo saw him hit back to back threes and another tough inside score to see the Warriors take a 63-50 lead into the final quarter.

Steven Bowler made an immediate impact off the bench to push the Warriors further ahead early in the fourth and Dunham’s three point score put fifteen between the teams. Moycullen again to their credit played their way back into contention with scores from Olssen, Connaire and Liberatore to bring the Warriors advantage down to single figures. However Bowler hit his second of the quarter after Quigley arced in from distance and despite Brian Gaffney chipping in with a score for Moycullen the Warriors finally secured the three League points with four scores in a row from Quigley, Jokic and efforts from either side of the arc from Jokubaitis. Moycullen added a touch of gloss to their final tally when Gaffney fired in identical threes as the clock counted down. There was drama before the game ended when Daniel Jokubaitis was called for a second unsportsmanlike foul in the final minute and could now face a one match sanction following two early season technical fouls against Belfast. In the end a 82-68 win ensured that the Warriors are still right in the playoff race ahead of a big home game next weekend.

Scorers: Garveys Tralee Warriors – Matija Jokic 28, Rich Dunham 21, Eoin Quigley 14

Moycullen: Grant Olssen 28, Mateo Liberatore 15, James Connaire 7, Dylan Cunningham 7

Next up for the Warriors is a home tie with Killester at the Tralee Sports Complex next Saturday night with tip off at the slightly later than usual time of 8.00pm.

InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2022/2023 – Round 15

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 84

EJ Sligo All-Stars 67

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors secured their fourth win in a row on Saturday night as they comfortably accounted for EJ Sligo All-Stars at the Tralee Sport Complex. The Warriors led at the end of all four quarters and after dominating the opening half against the Sligo side on their first visit to Tralee and eased their way to another important win ahead of two more home games against Moycullen next Saturday and Killester the week after.

The Warriors took the initiative from the very start and opened with three three-point scores in a row from Daniel Jokubaitis with two and Dre Jackson and by the time Eoin Quigley and Matija Jokic chipped in with a score apiece the lead was out to 13-5 forcing Sligo coach Shane O’Meara to call an early timeout. The brief pause did nothing to stem the Warriors onslaught and when Quigley added a double and Jokubaitis hit his third major of the quarter the gap was out to 22-5. Tom Child, Jamie Hayes and Sean Snee added some respectability to the scoreline but a Fergal O’Sullivan three and a floated effort from Rich Dunham saw the hosts lead 27-12 at the end of the first.

Jokic and Dunham were on the mark for Warriors early in the second but Sligo began to find their range and when Christian William, Cam King, Hayes and Snee added the sizable lead was cut to 31-23. Jokic continued to torment the Sligo defence and after adding a double Dre Jackson lit up to add four scores either side of a Jokubaitis alley-oop courtesy of Quigley and despite back to back threes from Oisin O’Reilly took a commanding 46-31 lead to the long break.

The Warriors maintained their half-time advantage in the third despite Williams and King hitting an early double each, Jokic, Jackson and Donaghy countered the scores at the other end. Jokubaitis and Donaghy added to restore the Warriors half-time advantage but scores from inside and out from Tom Child and another from Hayes kept Sligo just about in touch. However with the visitors in foul trouble Jokic and O’Sullivan took their chances from the line either side of another Jokubaitis effort from inside and the Warriors took an unassailable 20 point lead into the final quarter.

Matija Jokic took flight in the fourth quarter and four quality scores in a row capped his MVP performance. However Sligo to the credit chipped away at the Warriors advantage through Snee, Hayes, O’Reilly and Williams and had the lead down to 73-61 midway through the quarter. Dre Jackson stepped and slalomed his way to a hat trick of scores late on but the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for Aaron Fleming who hit a cracking three in the final minute that has the Warriors fans on their feet as it sealed a comfortable 84-67 win that keeps the Warriors Super League flame alight for another week at least.

Scorers: Garveys Tralee Warriors – Matija Jokic 22, Dre Jackson 21, Daniel Jokubaitis 19

EJ Sligo All-Stars: Christian Williams 16, Cam King 12, Jamie Hayes 12, Tom Child 10

Next up for the Warriors is another home fixture against Moycullen as they seek to keep the pressure on EnergyWise Ireland Neptune and Emporium Cork Basketball for the fourth playoff place and a chance to contest a Super League quarter final. Action gets underway at Tralee Sports Complex next Saturday night with tip off at 7.30pm.

InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2022/2023 – Round 14

Flexachem KCYMS 78

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 90

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors negotiated their way past Flexachem KCYMS to keep their hopes of claiming the fourth and final playoff place alive in a highly entertaining local derby encounter at a packed Killorglin Sports Complex on Saturday night. Buoyed by the result from Cork the previous night where final playoff place rivals EnergyWise Ireland Neptune were edged out by UCC Demons in a thrilling 93-91 Leeside derby, the Warriors now are in full control of their Super League destiny. They sit just one win behind Neptune with the prospect of a final League game showdown in Tralee now looking more likely than ever.

In a cracking opening quarter the sides went all out on offence with Daniel Jokubaitis launching the first three of the night and Dre Jackson and Matija Jokic combining the Warriors took the early initiative. However the hosts weathered the early volley and Axels Skaistlauks, Pharoah Gordon, Liam Croke and Jani Griffith replied to edge Killorglin ahead. Jokubaitis and Gordon exchanged major scores before former Neptune star Aleix Tarradellas cut loose with a hat trick of threes either side of trademark effort from Fergal O’Sullivan and after a frantic opening quarter the hosts led 26-23.

The Warriors asserted early in the second and Eoin Quigley and Rich Dunham had the visitors back in front before scores from Kelly and Skaistlauks drew the sides level. The shooting from distance became infectious with Liam Croke hitting his second three of the night but Fergal O’Sullivan wound up for another cracking effort from outside and backed that up to land the score of the night from beyond the arc. Killorglin then took their chance to lift the home crowd with major scores from Kelly and Skaistlauks. Despite Quigley and Jokubaitis cutting the gap to a single point, a late double from RJ Kelly gave the hosts a very healthy 47-42 lead at the long break.

As they did in Ballincollig last week, the Warriors catapulted out of the traps in the third quarter to turn around a five-point deficit and build a nine-point lead midway through the quarter. The scores simply rained down with three threes from Jokubaitis either side of a three and an inside double from Dre Jackson and suddenly the Warriors led 58-49. The hosts were rocked by the onslaught but scores from Gordon, Griffith and Skaistlauks kept the gap to single figures. Matija Jokic then opened up to land four scores either side of a Quigley floated effort but Killorglin found the space and time to allow Kelly and Gordon to fire in from outside to cut the Warriors three quarter time lead to 68-60 and keep the game alive.

The outstanding Tarradellas caught sight of the basket twice more from distance early in the fourth and when Gordon also added another major the Warriors lead was wiped out. Jackson lit up to restore the Warriors advantage from either side of the arc and when Fergal O’Sullivan hit his fourth three of the night the gap was back out to ten. Tarradellas continued to torment the Warriors rear-guard with another couple of scores either side of the arc either side of an RJ Kelly drive but Jokic capped a quality display from the Warriors with a stunning three from the top of the arc to put the contest to bed. The hosts were in foul trouble late on and Jackson and Jokubaitis cemented the win from the free throw line and secured the 90-78 win in the end.

Scorers:

Flexachem KCYMS: Aleix Tarradellas 20, RJ Kelly 18, Pharoah Gordon 15

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Dre Jackson 22, Daniel Jokubaitis 21, Matija Jokic 21, Fergal O’Sullivan 12

Next up for the Warriors is a home fixture against Super League newcomers EJ AllStars Sligo who make the trip to Tralee for the first time. It is the first of three home games in row for the Warriors and action gets underway at Tralee Sports Complex next Saturday night with tip off at 7.30pm.

POST MATCH AUDIO:

Warriors Head Coach John Dowling says the big third quarter by his team was the difference between the sides…

He says their next up opponents Sligo will relish the trip to Tralee next week…

Flexachem KCYMS Coach Declan Wall saya his side struggled to contain the Warriors third quarter effort…

He says his side is still learning the ways of Super League…

InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2022/2023 – Round 13

Emporium Cork Basketball 87

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 88

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors hopes of making the last eight of Super League remain intact after an incredible one point win away to Emporium Cork Basketball in the Ballincollig Community School on Saturday afternoon. It came right down to the wire as Warriors had just given up the lead with John Dawson laying up and adding the extra to leave the hosts one point up with 2 seconds on the clock. However Daniel Jokubaitis launched a stunning NFL quarter-back style length of the court pass to find Eoin Quigley who duly obliged to lay up the winner and after trailing by as much as 14 points at one stage snatch a most unlikely but fully deserved 88-87 win.

The opening quarter saw Dre Jackson open the scoring but the hosts took the early initiative with John Dawson, Jose Jiminez Gonzales and Adrian O’Sullivan combining to ease the hosts ahead but threes from Daniel Jokubaitis and Jackson turned the tide and in response to a Gonzales floated effort, Jokubaitis arced in a cracking three to see the Warriors lead 19-16 at quarter time.

The hosts shot out of the traps in the second quarter to stun the Warriors as they fired in 20 points through Keelan Cairns, Dylan Corkery, Gonzales and Adrian O’Sullivan by the midway point of the quarter. The Warriors resistance was limited to a Jackson score and two free throws from Jokubaitis. Keelan Cairns added from the line and inside to push the lead to 12 but back to back threes from Jokubaitis and Jackson kept the Warriors in touch. John Dawson added from either side of the arc but Dre Jackson replied in kind and at the half time buzzer Emporium Cork Basketball led by 47-37.

The Warriors needed a quick start to the third and Eoin Quigley duly obliged by driving to the board for back to back three point plays. Jokubaitis then took advantage of a foul outside the arc and with only 90 seconds of the quarter played the hosts had coughed up an incredible 4 fouls as their discipline fell asunder as the visitors cut the half time lead to 47-43. Emporium Cork continued to short circuit with Keelan Cairns and Kieran O’Sullivan receiving technical fouls as the Warriors kept chipping away at the lead. However four trips to the free throw line for the hosts restored their half time lead but Matija Jokic then lit up with a 10 point cameo to single-handedly wipe the advantage out. Kieran and Ronan O’Sullivan and Dawson combined to edge Ballincollig back in front but Jokubaitis got an open look from beyond the arc to cut the gap to 66-63 at three quarter time.

The Warriors stormed into the final quarter and new signing Rich Dunham marked his Super League debut with scores from inside and out and when Jokic did likewise the visitors took the lead for the first time since the opening score of the game. Emporium Cork’s response was immediate with two threes from Adrian O’Sullivan but a Fergal O’Sullivan special kept the Warriors one point ahead. A double from Pau Cami Galera wrestled the lead back for Ballincollig but when Dre Jackson twice weaved his way to the board and Jokic hit a belter of a three from the top of the arc the Warriors led 85-81. However, back to back three point plays from Gonzales followed by Dawson with just 2 seconds on the clock looked like the game winning scores. However, Jokubaitis inbounded the ball with a perfect length of the court pass to find Eoin Quigley who laid up to snatch the dramatic winner and seal a priceless 88-87 win.

Scorers:

Emporium Cork Basketball: Adrian O’Sullivan 20, John Dawson 16, Jose Jiminez Gonzales 14

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Dre Jackson 26, Matija Jokic 22, Daniel Jokubaitis 20

Next up for the Warriors is a another tough road trip as they face their arch local rivals Flexachem KCYMS at the Killorglin Community Centre next Saturday night in what promises to be another cracking local derby, tip off in Killorglin is 7.15pm

POST MATCH

Warriors Head Coach was delighted with the win and in particular the second half display and of course that final pass…

He says the game had everything you would want from a Super League showdown…

He says his charges now need to focus on next weeks local derby…

Emporium Cork Basketball’s Ciaran O’ Sullivan was gracious in defeat…

InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2022/2023 – Round 12

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 74

DBS Éanna 66

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors remain in the hunt for a Super League playoff place as they secured their second home win of the season with an eight point win over Cup finalists DBS Éanna at the Tralee Sports Complex on Saturday night. The Warriors were full value for their win with a much improved performance, leading throughout before capturing the priceless League points on offer in front of a huge home crowd.

They got off to the best possible start with Eoin Quigley opening the scoring before a hat trick of scores from Dre Jackson and a brace from Matija Jokic forced Éanna coach Darren McGovern to call an early time out. Neil Lynch hit a couple of trademark threes to bring the visitors back into the game and Josh Wilson, Stefan Desnica and Romonn Nelson kept them in touch but Quigley and Jokic were again on the mark and when Daniel Jokubaitis hit a stunning three pointer the Warriors led 20-14 at quarter time.

The Warriors moved further ahead early in the second with a combination of scores from either side of the arc from Kieran Donaghy, Jokic and another couple of major efforts from Jokubaitis pushing the hosts out to lead by 15. Two major scores for Éanna from Wilson and another from Lynch narrowed the Warriors lead but a brave drive to the board from Donaghy rounded out a very impressive quarter from the Tralee side who led 40-31 at the long break.

The Warriors advantage was all but wiped out early in the third with Lynch and Wilson in range from distance and Mark Reynolds and Desnica following up with scores from inside but a big three each from Jokubaitis and Jokic saw the Warriors push out to a 48-43 lead midway through the quarter. Jackson and Quigley combined to maintain their advantage but when Kristian Andabaka hit a three and Reynolds was again on the mark the gap was down to a single point. However the Warriors finished the quarter in style with Jackson weaving a path to the Éanna board and Aivaras Ousis hitting the score of the game with a stunning alley-oop after being teed up by a no look pass from Jokubaitis to the hosts take a 58-51 lead into the final quarter.

A cracking three pointer from Kieran Donaghy got the Warriors off to a flying start in the fourth and when Fergal O’Sullivan followed his lead the lead was out to seven. Dre Jackson put the finishing touches to his MVP performance with another hat trick of scores as he stepped and slalomed his way to the Éanna board as he pleased. The Warriors hit the five foul mark allowing Éanna to chip away at the lead late on and Reynolds, Dolenko and Conor Dikcius taking full advantage with free throws but it was fittingly left to Jackson to hit four from four from the line to see out the crucial win for the Warriors by 74-66 in the end.

Scorers:

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Dre Jackson 24, Matija Jokic 15, Daniel Jokubaitis 14

DBS Éanna: Mark Reynolds 18, Neil Lynch 12, Romonn Nelson 10

The Warriors have next weekend off as the National Cup finals take precedence but they will need to be at their very best as they take the tough trip to face Emporium Cork Basketball in Ballincollig Community School on Saturday 28^th January with tip off at 4.00pm.

 POST MATCH AUDIO:

Warriors Head Coach John Dowling is pleased to start the new year with a win and delighted to secure the League points ahead of tougher tests down the road…

He says there was a lot of work done in training to try to see out the fourth quarters in games rather than ending up on the losing side..

He says the next outing against Emporium Cork Basketball will fully test their credentials…

MVP Dre Jackson says he never lost faith despite some tough losses…

Éanna Coach Darren McGovern says his side met a Warriors team that were simply too good on the night…

He says he hopes that his team can remain consistent as they face Maree in the National Cup final next weekend…

InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2022/2023 – Round 11

UCC Demons 92

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 86

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors last game of 2022 ended in disappointment with a 92-86 defeat at the hands of UCC Demons at the Mardyke Arena in Cork on Friday night. The loss further compounds the playoff hopes of the defending champions who end the year with just four wins and leaving them in danger of not making the playoffs in March. They sit two wins behind the team in fourth place on the ladder, Energywise Ireland Neptune, after the Cork side also suffered defeat at home to University of Galway Maree on Friday night.

The Warriors v Demons game was a cracking contest that rocked and rolled with the teams level or barely separated throughout. The Warriors opened the first quarter in style with Matija Jokic and an inspired Kieran Donaghy firing them into an early lead. Tala Fam Thiam had Demons back on terms with a quick fire four scores and Kingsley Nwagboso added to push the hosts ahead. Donaghy continued to torment Demons and added another two scores from inside. When Donaghy landed a three and Dre Jackson followed his lead it looked like giving the Warriors a narrow quarter time lead but Michael Randolph Jnr. opened his account with a double to edge the hosts 22-20 ahead at quarter time.

Randolph Jnr. continued his scoring run early in the second but Jackson replied in kind with a brilliant display of offence, scoring at will from inside and out. Matija Jokic was also causing havoc in the Demons defence and chipped in a hat trick of scores to ease the Warriors back ahead. Randolph Jnr., Nwagboso and Kyle Hosford combined for Demons to keep the Warriors lead in check but Jokic was again on the mark and Jackson rounded out an excellent quarter with another major and two trademark drives to see the Warriors lead 47-44 at the long break.

The sides went score for score in a frantic third quarter with Jackson and Jokic continuing to find the basket from either side of the arc for the visitors while Thiam, Nwagboso and Randolph kept the score ticking over for Demons. Dave Lehane arced in a big three for the hosts but when Aivaras Ousis floated in his first score of the game, Jackson was in range again and Donaghy added another, the Warriors were still the team to beat at 70-66 up going in to the final quarter.

Dre Jackson pushed the Warriors further ahead early in the fourth with two brilliant three pointers before Hosford also hit the mark from outside for Demons. However the Warriors flow of scores began to dry up just as Randolph Jnr. began to find his rhythm and four scores in a row turned the contest around to see the hosts lead by 2 with as many minutes on the clock. A belter of a three from Scott Hannigan proved to be a decisive score as the Warriors ran into foul trouble. A tough foul call against the Tralee side extinguished any hope of a dramatic finale and late scores from Nwagboso, Lehane and Hannigan rounded out the 92-86 win for UCC Demons in the end.

Scorers:

UCC Demons: Michael Randolph Jnr. 33, Tala Fam Thiam 19, Kingsley Nwagboso 15

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Dre Jackson 28, Matija Jokic 21, Kieran Donaghy 14

Though brave and resilient in defeat the Warriors now face the reality of mobilising again for a demanding schedule of fixtures in the New Year with five home games against Éanna, EJ Sligo All Stars, Moycullen, Killester and Neptune and three away trips to Ballincollig, Killorglin and UCD Marian and little or no room for any defeats.

Next up for the Warriors is the first of the home games and a cross conference tie with DBS Éanna. Action takes place in the Tralee Sports Complex on Saturday 14^th January with tip off at 7.30pm.

InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2022/2023 – Round 10

Griffith College Templeogue 75

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 89

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors made it back to back wins on the road as they comprehensively accounted for Griffith College Templeogue at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Saturday night. The score line belies the dominance the Warriors enjoyed after an all-out offensive assault in the first two quarters that yielded  37 and 20 points respectively to effectively settle the contest by half time.

It was a hugely impressive opening quarter from the Warriors that stunned Templeogue into early submission and from the moment Dre Jackson fired in the opening score with a three it set the tone for what was to follow. The scores simply rained down and when Jackson hit his third score of the game after Aivaras Ousis, Daniel Jokubaitis and Matija Jokic were in range to see the Warriors lead 13-3 up Mark Keenan had to call a timeout to stop the charge. However despite efforts from Enrique Mellini and James Gormley, the Warriors drove on to fire their way mercilessly into a 30-5 lead with inside and outside scores of the highest quality from Jackson, Jokic, Ousis and Jokubaitis. Scores from Callum McGrail and Francis Mulvihill were simply tokens as Eoin Quigley opened his account and Jokubaitis again landed from distance to see the Tralee side 37-9 to the good at quarter time.

The offensive effort continued early in the second with Quigley, Kieran Donaghy, Andrée Michelsson and a double from Jokic firing the Warriors even further ahead. Despite Templeogue’s response with majors scores from Luke Thompson, Neil Randolph and Kris Arcilla the gap was still all of 30 points. Quigley, Ousis and Jackson combined to keep the relentless scoring going and defensively the Warriors were also bossing affairs. Randolph hit his second three of the evening and Mulvihill laid up right on the buzzer for the hosts but at half time the Warriors still led comfortably by 57-28.

The pace of the game understandably slowed and the Warriors defence loosening slightly in the third quarter to allow Templeogue chip away at the sizable lead. Randolph, Mulvihill and Arcilla all struck from beyond the arc but at the other end the Warriors were still posting some cracking scores with Aivaras Ousis landing a stunning baseline drive to dunk over the Templeogue rear-guard and Dre Jackson dunking a spectacular alley-oop. Jokic rounded out the scoring for the visitors with a powerful drive to the basket but Templeogue through McGrail and a Daniel Carberry three cut the gap to 72-49 at three quarter time.

Warriors captain Fergal O’Sullivan added his name to the three point roll of honour early in the final quarter but Templeogue replied in kind with majors from Randolph and Mulvihill. Despite their early dominance the Warriors lead started to dwindle as the clock counted down and with Randolph, Mulvihill, Gormley and McGrail combining the Warriors fans that travelled to headquarters began to wish for the final buzzer to sound. A quick fire hat trick of scores from Mulvihill brought the gap right down to 10 with 2 minutes on the clock. However the Warriors maintained their composure and found scores when they needed with Jokic landing another tough effort from under the board either side of four quality efforts from the outstanding Jackson to seal a comfortable 89-75 win in the end.

Scorers:

Griffith College Templeogue: Francis Mulvihill 23, Neil Randolph 16, Callum McGrail and James Gormley 8

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Dre Jackson 34, Matija Jokic 20, Daniel Jokubaitis 11

Next up for the Warriors is a crucial showdown with UCC Demons who currently occupy the fourth playoff place on the South Conference table. Action takes place in the Mardyke Arena in Cork on Friday 30^th December with tip off at 6.00pm.

On behalf of Garvey’s Tralee Warriors players, management and committee I would like to wish everyone a safe, peaceful and happy Christmas and the very best wishes for a great 2023.

POST MATCH AUDIO

Warriors Head Coach John Dowling was pleased with another road win and feels teams will start to take points off each other after the Christmas break…

He took time out to wish Andrée Michelsson the very best as he leaves the team to take up a contract in Germany…

Templeogue Coach Mark Keenan was at a loss to explain how flat his side were in the first two quarters but had praise for the way the Warriors started the game…