Garvey’s Tralee Warriors defeated Killester 84-54 in the Insuremyvan.ie Men’s Super League. Alan Cantwell reports
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors remain in contention for place in the Super League playoffs after impressively securing their sixth win in a row by overpowering an understrength Killester at a packed Tralee Sport Complex on Saturday night. Killester played without the services of some of their big guns with Gregorio Adon, Conroy Baltimore, Ciaran Roe, Paddy Sullivan and most notably former Warrior Paul Dick all watching on from the sideline. That said, the Warriors took to the court without Daniel Jokubaitis who sat out the contest due to suspension.
The Warriors began with the intent of a team determined to put the contest beyond the reach of the visitors in short order and an early scoring blitz built a 13-4 lead with scores from Eoin Quigley, Dre Jackson and Fergal O’Sullivan from either side of the arc. Killester’s resistance was limited to back to back scores from captain Alan Casey and free throws from Lucas Fernandez but when Steven Bowler, Majita Jokic and Rich Dunham converted either side of another trademark three from Fergal O’Sullivan the Warriors assumed total control. John Behan, Eoghan Kiernan and Eric Westbrookes kept the visitors in range but Jokic hooked in a buzzer beater to see the Warriors lead 27-14 at quarter time.
The Warriors intensity dropped noticeably in the second quarter allowing Killester to play their way back into contention with Tomas Fernandez, Casey and John Behan leading the charge. Rich Dunham arced in a cracking three from the top of the key and Quigley and Jokic backed that up with scores from inside to keep the Warriors double-digit lead intact. However, Behan, Lucas Fernandez. Tomas Fernandez and Kiernan added either side of a Jokic three pointer to see the Dublin side cut the Warriors advantage to 39-30 at the long break.
Killester edged a little closer early in the third through Alan Casey but it sparked an immediate response from the Warriors that saw the hosts move swiftly into a comfortable 20 point lead. Threes from Quigley bookended a 13 point volley that saw Dre Jackson and Jokic both in range. John Behan kept his side in the contest with two threes but when Aivaras Ousis hit a cracking three from the corner, the Warriors took a likely game winning 58-43 lead into the final quarter.
The Warriors cut loose in the fourth and by the midway point had blown out their three quarter time lead out to 72-45. Killester could not live with the Warriors who were finding scores wherever they looked for them and a hat trick of threes from Quigley, Jokic and Jack Tobin spread the game completely. Killester’s token resistance came in the form of scores from Mark Convery, Tomas Fernandez and Casey but the Warriors arguably kept the best until last with brothers Aaron and Padraig Fleming entered the fray to bring the Warriors faithful to their feet by hitting a cracking three pointer each. Another major score from Kieran Donaghy delighted the home crowd as well as the entire Armagh football team and management who were in attendance. Jack Tobin capped an impressive cameo appearance by dropping in his second three of the night to secure an 84-54 win and keep the Warriors Super League flame lit for another week at least.
Scorers: Garvey’s Tralee Warriors – Matija Jokic 19, Eoin Quigley 17, Dre Jackson 12
Moycullen: John Behan 15, Alan Casey 12, Tomas Fernandez 11
There is still the possibility for a twist or two as the teams approach the final two rounds of the regulation season. The equation remains the same for the Warriors – keep winning to set up a potential final game showdown with EnergyWise Ireland Neptune. However, Emporium Cork Basketball could be brought into the fourth place playoff place battle if they fail to secure wins from both their assignments next weekend when they take on DBS Éanna and Killester in back to back fixtures next Saturday and Sunday. All in all it does look like it will come down to a final day showdown with Neptune and a chance for Warriors to stay in the race to defend their title that at the turn of the year looks decidedly unlikely. It promises to be another special night at the Complex so the date for the diary is Saturday 11th March. In the meantime, the Warriors take the trip to Dublin to take on old rivals UCD Marian in a must win game next Saturday with tip off at the Belfield Sports Centre at 7.00pm.
Warriors coach John Dowling
Both Kerry sides lost in the Men’s National League.
Scotts Lakers Killarney were beaten 93-87 by Abbey Seals Dublin Lions. Enda Walshe reports
Killarney Cougars lost 98-83 to Moy Tolka Rovers.
The Cougars welcomed league leaders Tolka to the Presentation Gym and the home side produced a determined performance to challenge Dublin's top side in a well contested Division 1 clash.
The Cougars made a great start through new American Marty Hill who was in top form throughout as the Cougars lead 14 - 13 after 5mins with Cougars enjoying a spread of scores from Tommy Bowler, Andrew Fitzgerald, Esebio Strijdhaftig and the impressive Marty Hill. A timeout by the visitors ensured a strong finish to the quarter by Tolka through three pointers from Rory Howe, Conor Liston and Micheal Boneparte who was also starting to dominate on the boards, as the Dublin side led 25-23 at the end of the quarter.
The Cougars started the second quarter very well and tied the game through Esebio Strijdhaftig and Andrew Fitzgerald and growing in confidence led 36-31 midway through the quarter with Tommy Bowler adding baskets for the Cougars. A timeout had a big impact for the visitors as foul trouble for Cougars saw the visitors capitalise, going on a run of five consecutive baskets to regain the lead and finish the the quarter with Elijah Faapito, Daniel Ayoade and Micheal Boneparte adding hard earned baskets as they eased to a 52-41 halftime lead which was harsh on the Cougars good first half performance.
The third quarter was well contested with little between the sides with Tolka holding their lead throughout the quarter with Cougars reliant on Marty Hill and Esebio Strijdhaftig contributing 10pts and 8pts, but a strong Tolka response saw Rory Howe and Conor Liston keeping the Dublin side ahead 76-62 at the end of the quarter despite a strong effort from the home side.
The Cougars kept up the pressure but the final quarter saw the Tolka defence continue to frustrate the Cougars with the sides going basket for basket, as Tolka kept their lead intact. The Cougars duo of Marty Hill and Esebio Strijdhaftig kept up the momentum but Tolka's Zachery Bates impressed in the closing stages with good scores to ensure another important win on the road for the Dublin side and ensuring no upset in Killarney despite a huge effort by the Cougars. Thanks to our Gameday Sponsor Daly Supervalu Killarney. Next up for the Cougars an exciting home game against the Portlaoise Panthers at the Presentation Gym on Saturday night .
Top scorers
Cougars:
Marty Hill 31
Esebio Strijdhaftig 25
Andrew Fitzgerald 13
Tommy Bowler 12
Tolka:
Conor Liston 19
Zachary Bates 13
Micheal Boneparte 12
Rory Howe 11
Daniel Heaney 10
The Women’s National League saw St.Pauls Killarney lose out after double overtime, 81-79 to McEvoys Cavan Eagles. Enda Walshe reports
