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Ryan Leonard arcs in a three. Photo by Liam Ryan
Alan Cantwell was at the InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League 2023/2024 – Round 5 game in Killorglin on Saturday evening…
Flexachem KCYMS 83
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 76
For the first time since 2019, Flexachem KCYMS the better of the Warriors after a pulsating, and at times fractious local derby at the Killorglin Sports & Leisure Complex last night.
The Warriors trailed at the end of all four quarters and a key period in the second quarter when leading 30-25 allowed Killorglin hit an unanswered 14 points to build a lead they never quite fully ran down.
The Warriors loss was compounded by an injury to Daniel Jokubaitis midway through the final quarter and he could be a doubt for next week’s National Cup clash with Sligo.
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The game started at a frenetic pace but it took a full two and half minutes for Lovre Tvrdic to open the scoring for KCYMS with a three but just less that 24 seconds for Ryan Leonard to reply with the Warriors first score.
An early coming together with Rap Buivydas and Killorglin’s RJ Kelly raised the temperature on the contest and their personal battle rumbled on through the quarter.
Scores from inside and out from Kendall Jacks and Kelly’s first from play edged the hosts ahead but the Warriors replied in kind with two cracking three from Jokubaitis and a lay-up from Eoin Quigley to level the contest.
Jarvis Doles goes highest to score. Photo by Liam Ryan
Jarvis Doles and a Quigley three pushed the Warriors ahead but Kelly engaged the entire Warriors bench in a war of words after his back to back threes to give the home side an 18-17 lead at quarter time.
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The Warriors fired their way in front early in the second with back to back threes from Leonard and another trademark effort from Jokubaitis and despite a Mick McGinn three,
Johnny Williams with his first from play and Leonard eased the Warriors 30-25 midway through the quarter.
Eoin Quigley lands a tough score. Photo by Liam Ryan
However a game changing volley of scores from Killorglin swung the momentum back the way of the home side with 14 unanswered points from a combination of Kelly, Tvrdic, Jacks, Lucas McGregor and Juan Nunez fired the hosts 39-30 ahead.
Two late scores from Williams and Buivydas stopped the rot for the Warriors but they still trailed 41-36 at half time.
RJ Kelly and Kendall Jacks continued to torment the Warriors rear guard early in the third as they combined to push the advantage out to 12.
Eoin Quigley hits a corner three. Photo by Liam Ryan
The visitors set about eating into the lead with Johnny Williams sparking the revival with a hat trick of scores allied to baskets from Jokubaitis, Leonard and Doles had the Warriors back on terms.
However having bridged the gap the Tralee side quickly ceded ground again and scores from Tvrdic from either side of the arc, Kelly and Scott Angus put Killorglin 62-55 up heading into the final quarter.
The Warriors again set about paring back the Killorglin lead early in the fourth and a 15 point blitz including a hat trick of threes from Leonard, Jokubaitis and Doles saw them lead by one midway through the quarter.
Daniel Jokubaitis in typical style. Photo by Liam Ryan
Then disaster struck for the Warriors with Jokubaitis going down with a serious leg injury just when they needed his proven ability from three point territory to try to win the game late on.
However, without him Killorglin seized the initiative and a quick fire hat trick of scores from McGregor pushed Killorglin 78-70 ahead with just one minute on the clock.
A Jarvis Doles double allied to a Kieran Donaghy lay-up simply wasn’t enough for the Warriors as the seconds ticked down.
Foul trouble allowed Trvdic, McGinn and Jacks hit 4 from 6 from the line to seal Killorglin’s second win on the bounce and secure the bragging rights at least until the return fixture in Tralee in early February.
Scorers:
Flexachem KCYMS: RJ Kelly 28, Kendall Jacks 19, Lovre Tvrdic 16
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Johnny Williams 22, Ryan Leonard 17, Jarvis Doles 13
Next up for the Warriors is a huge night in Tralee when they host EJ Sligo AllStars in the first round of the InsureMyHouse.ie Pat Duffy National Cup. The prize for the winners is considerable given that whoever prevails will earn a date with Bright St. Vincent’s in the quarter final in the comfort of their home court.
Tip off next Saturday night at the Tralee Sports Complex is 7.30pm.
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