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Rap Buivydas set to bank in a score. Photo by Liam Ryan
Alan Cantwell reports on the InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2023/2024 – Round 13 game in Dublin at the weekend…
Griffith College Éanna 89
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 75
For the second season running Garvey’s Tralee Warriors came away from Colaiste Éanna on the wrong side of the scoreline as they went down 89-75 to Griffith College Éanna on Saturday night.
The Warriors were brave throughout but the absence of both Kieran Donaghy and Ryan Leonard told in the end and despite an incredible 16 unanswered points in the second quarter the Warriors eventually succumbed to the Dublin side by 14.
However with EJ Sligo AllStars win over Ballincollig, the Warriors remain on top of the Southern Conference going into the must win local derby against Killorglin next Saturday.
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The sides traded scores early with Matthew McLain and Stefan Desnica on the mark for Éanna but a major score from Daniel Jokubaitis opened the Warriors account and when Jarvis Doles landed his first basket the visitors briefly led.
Kristian Andabaka and Sean Jenkins were both in range from distance for Éanna and despite Jokubaitis and Doles being on the mark the hosts were 14-9 up midway through the first.
Rap Buivydas hooks in another score. Photo by Liam Ryan
It got better for Éanna with Josh Wilson and James Gormley combining for 13 points they pushed their lead out to 14. A three from Quigley and a late effort from Rap Buivydas cut the gap but Éanna still led 27-19 at the end of the first.
The Warriors came out of the short break like a team inspired and went on a 16 point run that saw them turn the contest around to lead by 35-27 half way through the second quarter.
The scores simply rained down with Cian Sullivan, Daniel Jokubaitis and Rap Buivydas on the mark with a double each, Caleb Jordan with a three and the Warriors defending as if their lives depended on it, Éanna simply could not cope with the onslaught.
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However, if the first five minutes of the quarter belonged to the Tralee side, the second five minutes belonged to the hosts as they stemmed the tide and hit back with a 10 point run of their own through Sellers, Wilson and Desnica to briefly take the lead again.
However with the last action of the half Jarvis Doles made no mistake from the line to edge the Warriors 39-37 ahead at the long break.
Great aerial contest with Cian Sullivan and James Gormley. Photo by Liam Ryan
Into the third and Doles was again on the mark and Darragh O’Hanlon landed a comeback three pointer but the Warriors were finding it that bit more difficult to find their scores and the hosts took the early initiative with baskets from James Gormley with two, Desnica and a dagger three from Neil Lynch the hosts moved 50-44 ahead.
The Warriors were now scrambling but continued to come up with the scores to keep them in the contest. Olaf Michalczuk made an instant impact off the bench with a score and when Jordan did likewise the gap was down to a single point.
However the home side pushed ahead again with a three from Romann Nelson followed by scores from McLain and Wilson.
Daniel Jokubaitis gets his three point shot away despite the attentions of Matthew McLain. Photo by Liam Ryan
The Warriors kept their hopes of a road win alive with a dunk from Sullivan followed by a mid-range effort from Jordan and Quigley’s second three of the night left just three between the teams 59-56 at three quarter time.
Quigley hit his third three with the first play of the final quarter but Wilson replied in kind for Éanna before Doles and Jordan added to leave just a point between the sides again.
However that was as good as it got for the Warriors as the hosts launched a push for home with Nelson, Desnica and McLain shooting the next 12 points without reply to lead 76-64 before Nelson hit another corner three to edge Éanna further ahead.
Cian Sullivan’s towering effort lands a score. Photo by Liam Ryan
The Warriors response was too little too late with Jordan and Doles chipping away at the sizable lead but even a three from Jokubaitis failed to spark a final flourish.
It was to be his last act of the game as two technicals in quick succession ended his night before Éanna sub Dean Kiernan came on to shoot the insurance scores from the line to see out an 89-75 win in the end.
Scorers:
Griffith College Éanna: Josh Wilson 18, Stefan Desnica 17, James Gormley 14
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Jarvis Doles 18, Eoin Quigley 13, Cian Sullivan 13, Daniel Jokubaitis 12
• Next up for the Warriors is the visit of arch local rivals Flexachem KCYMS and a revenge mission for the Tralee side after losing 83-76 on the road in Round 5. Killorglin will be desperate for a win as their relegation rivals UCC Demons and Moycullen both won on the road on Saturday night.
It promises to be another cracking contest between the sides that never disappoint when it comes to drama, excitement and pure entertainment. Tip off at the Tralee Sports Complex next Saturday night is 7.30pm.
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