Domino’s Men’s U20 National League – Round 2
Neptune 66 Garvey’s
Tralee Warriors 96
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors U20 Men made it two wins from two in the National League against Cork opposition, overpowering Neptune 96-66 at Neptune Stadium on Bank Holiday Monday to add to their win over UCC Demons in Round 1.
Neptune opened with a 5-0 lead through Sean Noonan and Oisín Tobin, but Warriors responded with three-pointers from Brayden Pierce and Ryan Sheehy, alongside scores from Kevin O’Shea, to move 10-5 ahead. Pierce, Sheehy, Rory Bowler and Brooklyn Conway extended the advantage, while Bowler’s long-range effort helped Warriors lead 24-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Conway opened the second-quarter scoring from beyond the arc before Neptune replied through Kian O’Rourke, Wesley Delaney and Oliver Ensko. However, Liam O’Rahilly caught fire, landing five consecutive three-pointers, with Bowler adding a lay- up. Despite further scores from Neptune, O’Rahilly continued his scoring spree, finishing the quarter with an and-one play to bring his tally for the period to 18 points. Warriors headed into the break firmly in control at 58-27.
Neptune showed plenty of resistance after the restart, with Ensko, Noonan and Delaney contributing. However, Sheehy and Bowler combined for five scores to restore Warriors’ commanding advantage. Back-to-back three-pointers from Noonan and a long-range effort from Delaney helped Neptune reduce the deficit, but Warriors remained comfortable at 77-57 heading into the final quarter.
Warriors maintained their offensive intensity in the closing period as Neptune struggled to contain their shooters. Despite scores from Dylan O’Rourke, Ensko and Delaney, the visitors produced a decisive 15-point unanswered run through Sheehy, O’Shea, O’Rahilly and Samson Abubakar to seal an emphatic 96-66 victory in the end.
Scorers
Neptune: Sean Noonan 19, Oliver Ensko 13, Wesley Delaney 12.
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Liam O’Rahilly 23, Ryan Sheehy 15, Kevin O’Shea 15, Samson Abubakar 13.
Next up for the Warriors is a local derby at home to St. Paul’s Killarney in mid- November.