Dominos Mens Super League R10
Energywise Ireland Neptune 112
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 87
Just a week after securing their place in the National Cup semi final with a confident win over Killester, Garvey’s Tralee Warriors were on the receiving end of a heavy 112-87 loss at the hands of a revisitalised Energywise Ireland Neptune at Neptune Stadium last night. Neptune went into the game with just one League game to their name but looked like a team reborn boosted by their new signings of Sam Henderson and Michael Hayes giving the Warriors plenty of food for thought ahead of a pivotal clash with Éanna next Saturday night in Castleisland.
Neptune started like a team on a mission and a double each from former Warrior Greg Adon and Sam Henderson gave the hosts an early 8-1 lead. The Warriors bounced back with Olaf Michalczuk hitting from distance and a 10 point volley from Iggy Hunte seeing the Warriors lead 14-13 for the one and only time in the game. Eli Lenihan struck from either side of the arc to put the hosts back in front and despite a major from Jordan Perkins and two identical efforts from Padraig Fleming, two late baskets from Nil Sabata saw Neptune lead 32-21 at the end of the first.
A quick run from Neptune spread the game early in the second by pushing their advantage out to 44-26 midway through and establishing a lead they would not relinquish. Adon, Henderson, Michael Hayes, Eoin Nelson and Dylan O’Rourke were all on the mark for the hosts, and but for Perkins scoring from inside and out for the Warriors, Neptune could have been out of sight. Another double from Fleming and two cracking threes from Perkins cut the gap to 10 in the final minute of the half but a late Henderson basket saw the hosts take a 51-38 lead into the long break.
Neptune continued to find the Warriors basket with ease as they embarked on consolidating a game winning lead early in the third quarter. Hayes, Lenihan and Nelson combined along with three huge three pointers from Adon to see the hosts take total control of the contest. A double from Jokubaitis and Perkins and Dan Bowler both striking from distance just about kept the Warriors in the game but baskets from Sabata, Hayes, Adon and Pharell Osagie put the home side 30 points 82-52 up. The visitors did eat into the Neptune lead late in the quarter with Jokubaitis hitting two brilliant three pointers to see Warriors trailing 88-67 going into the final quarter.
The Warriors did briefly threaten a revival with Perkins hitting 5 points early in the fourth and with Hunte also on the mark the gap was brought down to 90-75. That was as good as it got for John Dowling’s side as baskets from Nelson and Adon saw Neptune reach 100 points with 3 minutes on the clock. The Warriors could only muster a handful of consolation scores as the clock ticked down but Neptune did not relent and finished with a flourish to seal a fully deserved and impressive 112-87 win to kickstart a reversal of fortunes for one of the League’s marquee club as they battle relegation from the top flight.
Scorers:
Energywise Ireland Neptune: Greg Adon 30, Michael Hayes 23, Sam Henderson 14, Eoin Nelson 14
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Jordan Perkins 30, Daniel Jokubaitis 15, Iggy Hunte 14
Next up for Warriors are two crucial fixtures that could shape the trajectory of the remainder of the season. Firstly, they take on Éanna next Saturday night at Castleisland Community Centre with tip off at 7.00pm and two weeks later its the National Cup semi final back at Neptune Stadium when they take on UCD Marian on Saturday 3rd January. In between they will also be looking to defend their Premier Mens title at the Castleisland Blitz on 29th December.
Thanks to Liam Ryan for the images