Basketball Ireland Mens U20 National League Semi Final
Éanna 90
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 93
A three point score from Olaf Michalczuk from all of 30 feet, worthy of winning any National League semi-final, and three clutch free throws from 16 year old Ryan Sheehy proved the difference between the sides as Garvey’s Tralee Warriors overcame Éanna by 93-90 in a pulsating last four clash in Colaiste Éanna on Saturday. The teams met in the League final last year when the Warriors prevailed to make it back to back titles, their prize this time is a chance to take on Titans from Galway in the League final in a repeat of the decider of two seasons ago.
Both teams were determined to set the pace from the tip and Dean Kiernan and Ryan Bell striking from distance to get the hosts in gear but an and one from Josh Osayanrhion followed by two threes and an inside score from Olaf Michalczuk saw the Warriors lead 11-6. Adam Charles led the Éanna response adding six points either side of scores from Ryan Bell and Ross O’Neill to bridge the gap but an Osayanrhion double either side of Ryan Sheehy nailing back to back threes helped the Warriors to a 27-21 lead at quarter time.
Osayanrhion put on quite the show early in the second to hit six scores in a row with Éanna powerless to contain the Warriors star but a double from Bell kept the hosts in touch but still down by 13. The Warriors rested Osayanrhion and Éanna seized the opportunity to press the visitors forcing turnovers and steals that yielded them 11 straight points from Harry Lynch, Kiernan and Bell to cut the gap to 4. However, Evan Boyle fired down his first major and when Osyanrhion and Brayden Pierce combined late on the Warriors were up 50-43 at half time.
Back Row L to R: Luke O’Hea, Head Coach, Paddy Lucid, Aaron Nolan, David Lucid, Josh Osayanrhion, Olaf Michalczuk, Brian Boyle, Asst. Coach
Front Row L to R: Brayden Pierce, Ryan Sheehy, Evan Boyle, Jamie Burke
The third quarter, the moving quarter, swayed the way of Éanna early on when Kiernan and Charles hit from distance to level the game at 54-54. Osayanrhion swished a three to quickly reply and Sheehy went baseline to lay up and give the Warriors a 5 point lead. When Sheehy was on the mark again and Michalczuk followed suit the Warriors lead was back out to double digits. Michalczuk continued to torment the Éanna defence with another double either side of efforts from Éanna’s O’Neill and Patrick Walsh but Sheehy helped himself to back to back scores to keep the Warriors 10 point lead intact. But Bell and Lynch struck late to pare the visitors advantage back to 70-64 at three quarter time.
Osayanrhion gave the Warriors the start they needed in the fourth with a double but Lynch and Mark Keogh combined to leave a single score between the teams. Pierce, Osayanrhion and Boyle were in range to ease the Warriors 80-72 up midway through and a show stopping three from Michalczuk put the defending champions 85-76 up with 3’30” on the clock. Adam Charles then chose his moment to light up and ignite Éanna’s late push with a quickfire 9 to level the contest at 87-87. Charles then laid the gauntlet down with a stunning three to see Éanna lead 90-87 inside the final minute. However Olaf Michalczuk replied with a jaw dropping three point effort from all of 30 feet to level the game with 0’37” on the clock. Éanna’s effort to square the game again was turned over and from the resulting foul it was left to Ryan Sheehy to calmly knock down three clutch free throws to seal the win by 93-90 in the end, in what was an outstanding contest.
Scorers:
Éanna: Adam Charles 33, Dean Kiernan 19, Ryan Bell 12Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Josh Osayanrhion 32, Olaf Michalczuk 28, Ryan Sheehy 17
The win now sets up a final showdown for the Warriors against Titans on Sunday 13th April at Basketball HQ in their bid to make it three U20 League titles in a row.