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League and Cup champions Warriors launch season

Sep 27, 2022 08:15 By radiokerrysport
League and Cup champions Warriors launch season
REPRO FREE***PRESS RELEASE NO REPRODUCTION FEE*** EDITORIAL USE ONLY Basketball Ireland InsureMyVan.ie and MissQuote.ie National League Fixtures Announced 12/9/2022 Defending InsureMyVan.ie Super League champions Garvey's Tralee Warriors begin the defence of their title against Flexachem KCYMS - Pictured is Garvey's Tralee Warriors Darragh O'Hanlon at Blennerville Windmill, County Kerry. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie
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Garvey’s Tralee Warriors have launched their 2022-23 season ahead of the start of the Super League this weekend.

The League and National Cup champions took a short break from preparations for the opening game of the season, and what promises to be a stern early test for John Dowling’s new look charges, at home to local League rivals Flexachem KCYMS Killorglin on Saturday night.

Following the departure of four of their outstanding players from last season namely; Aaron Calixte, Nikola Roso, Ron Elksnis and Brandon Cotton, the Warriors recruitment department were busy over the summer bringing in three exciting additions to the set up.

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Andrée Michelsson steps into the point guard spot vacated by last season’s Super League Player of the Year Aaron Calixte and the 6’2’’ 25 year old Swede will lead the Warriors offence from the top of the key. Michelsson, a former Icelandic U20 international, joins the Warriors following a season with BBC Rendsburg Twisters in Germany where he averaged over 21 points per game.

The dynamic American De’Ondre Jackson comes into the Warriors set up hoping to build on his rookie season last year when he tormented defences up and down the country with NUIG Maree. He finished the season in third place in the scoring stats in the League with only Aaron Calixte and Killester’s Karon Harrell bettering his average of just over 20 points per game.

The Warriors third import player is 6’8’’ forward Matija Jokic. The 24 year old and former U20 international with his native Montenegro, has experience of playing in both Iceland and Germany with Hottur Egilsstadir and Recklinghausen respectively.

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Kieran Donaghy, Eoin Quigley, Darragh O’Hanlon, Daniel Jokubaitis and captain Fergal O’Sullivan bring their collective wealth of skill and experience to the squad. The younger players who made their breakthrough last season James Fernane, Stephen Bowler and Keelan Crowe also take their places on the roster.

Stepping up to Super League duty this season is Jack Tobin, linking from St. Brendan’s, and Irish U18 international Aivaras Ousis coming from Tralee Magic who will both get their first taste of Super League action in the coming weeks. The Warriors squad is completed by Zygimantas Kaletka and the Fleming brothers Padraig and Aaron.

The Warriors will be coached by John Dowling, assisted by Gareth Moore and Jimmy Diggins and the team managed again this season by Kathleen Collins.

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Garvey’s Tralee Warriors take on Flexachem KCYMS Killorglin in the Tralee Sports Complex on Saturday night at 7.30pm. Season tickets at €100 for adults and €50 for children and standard match tickets at €10 for adults and €5 for children are available to purchase on the Tralee Warriors website - traleewarriors.com

Head Coach John Dowling is expecting a tough encounter on Saturday in the knowledge that the Warriors have fluffed their lines on the opening night of the season before

He says the Warriors will have a target on their backs from all sides as he expects for a team trying to defend two National titles

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He is happy with the players he has recruited but it is now up to them to step up and follow the lead of Aaron Calixte and Nikola Roso last year

New American recruit Dre Jackson who starred with NUIG Maree last year is looking forward to the opening game with Killorglin and happy to be wearing Warriors colours

He is delighted with how he has settled in Tralee and his presence has not gone unnoticed

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Kieran Donaghy says the game on Saturday night is big but it may take a week or two for the season to really take flight

He says the three import players have settled in with the Warriors crew very well and 'The Joker', 'Mitch' and 'Dre' are ready to step up to the mark

He says the pros will be fully supported by the core crew of players who return to defend their National titles

Jim Garvey from the Warriors' main sponsor says he is looking forward to the season ahead after the extraordinary success of the last campaign

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