Warriors make it four from four as they overpower Celtics

Basketball Ireland Development League Men 24-25 Round 4

Limerick Celtics 63

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 85

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors BIDL Men produced another impressive display to back up their win on Saturday and keep their title defence right on track by overcoming keen rivals Limerick Celtics in Crescent Comprehensive on Sunday afternoon.

The Warriors got off to their customary fast start and with Josh Osayanrhion, Zygi Kaletka, James Fernane and Padraig Fleming all on target early they built a 17-9 lead. Celtics scores came through a combination of Sean Ryan, Cian Gleeson and Dennis Matthews and Gleeson and Ryan added again to pare the Warriors advantage back but a late double from Padraig Fleming saw the visitors 22-13 up at quarter time.

Another good start to the second quarter saw Warriors push on with Steve and Dan Bowler and Aaron Fleming easing the visitors 15 points clear. Despite scores from Ryan, Gleeson, Philip Kearney and Patryk Rejkowicz for the hosts, the Warriors relentlessly forged ahead when Osayanrhion and Dan Bowler added a quickfire 9 points to put further daylight between the teams. Fernane, Kennelly and Osayanrhion combined to put clear water between the teams and as the halftime buzzer sounded the Warriors looked comfortable at 46-27 up.

The Limerick Celtics came out a different side in the third quarter as they set about chasing down the Warriors lead with a 23 point volley from Kearney, Ryan, Gleeson and Rejkowicz, and despite Osayanrhion and Fernane adding a double each, the Warriors lead evaporated down to a single score at 56-53. Aaron Fleming then picked the perfect time to knock down a three to quell the Limerick onslaught and Fernane and Osayanrhion combined again to see the visitors assert and take a 63-55 lead into the final quarter.

The Warriors momentum from late in the third flowed effortlessly into the early exchanges in the fourth as they set about securing the win with Steven Bowler and Aaron Fleming firing in 11 points without reply. Philip Kearney added a solitary score for Celtics but Padraig Fleming from either side of the arc, Steven Bowler and Dominic Craig were all in range to put their side 85-57 up. Celtics did add some late gloss to the final score through Matthews, Kearney and Kevin McCarthy but the Warriors prevailed comfortably in the end by 85-63 to make it four wins from four in the League.

Scorers:
Limerick Celtics: Philip Kearney 18, Sean Ryan 16, Patryk Rejkowicz 11
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Josh Osayanrhion 23, Padraig Fleming 13, Aaron Fleming 11

Next up for the Garvey’s Tralee Warriors BIDL Men is an away trip to take on Maree in the Calasanctius College in Oranmore on Saturday 8th February with tip off at 3.00pm.

Thanks to Liam Ryan for the images