Warriors title defence on track with win over Fr. Mathews

Basketball Ireland Mens Development League Round 3

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 79

Fr. Mathews 70

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors extended their winning run in the League to three wins from three after they overcame a dogged and resilient Fr. Mathews side at Mercy Mounthawk on Saturday evening. The Warriors led at the end of all four quarters and by as much as 18 early in the fourth before Fr. Mathews battled to the final buzzer to keep the hosts honest as the clock ticked down.

The Warriors started impressively with major scores Zygi Kaletka and two from James Fernane as well as a double at the board from Daire Kennelly quickly building a 15-5 lead. Fr. Mathew’s reply was instant and mainly driven by the sharp shooting Aaron O’Donovan who single handedly cut the gap to a single point. Fernane with an and one and another three brought his tally to 12 but O’Donovan struck again and a basket from Emmanuel Anaba with the last action of the opening quarter cut the Warriors lead to 21-19.

The sides went score for score in the second with Steven and Dan Bowler both in range for Warriors and Josh Osayanrhion making an instant impact when introduced with a powerful double. Fr. Mathews kept pace with the Warriors attack and then briefly led with O’Donovan, Ryan Nolan and Patrick Murphy combining to edge them 32-31 ahead. But Warriors finished the half strongly with Osayanrhion on the mark again and another double from close range from Kennelly saw the hosts go 37-32 up at half time.

The Warriors maintained their advantage in the third with Fernane knocking down his fourth major and Steven Bowler, Kennelly and Kaletka combining to bring the home side to the 50 point mark at the midway point in the quarter. Fr. Mathews kept well in the game with Ryan Nolan, Ciaran Dennehy, Anaba and Murphy all on target but the Warriors set sail for home with Dan Bowler landing a quickfire six points and Kennelly and Kaletka also in range to give the hosts a commanding 61-47 advantage turning down the stretch.

Fr. Mathews threatened a comeback with two major strikes from distance from Ryan Nolan early in the fourth but the Warriors asserted through Osayanrhion, Dominic Craig, Padraig Fleming and Kennelly to push the gap out to 19. With the heavy lifting done, the Warriors did ease up and allowed Fr. Mathews make a run to the line that saw O’Donovan fire in 12 points late on to keep the score reasonable and the Warriors honest. However the hosts saved the best until last with James Fernane teed up Josh Osayanrhion for a perfectly executed ‘alley oop’ finish to end the game in style and seal their 79-70 win.

Scorers:

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Josh Osayanrhion 16, Daire Kennelly 15, James Fernane 15

Fr. Mathews: Aaron O’Donovan 27, Ryan Nolan 13, Emmanuel Anaba 10