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Tralee Warriors BIDL Squad that overcame Ongar Chasers in the semi-final. Back Row L to R: Brian O’Leary, Adam O’Keeffe, Daniel Bowler, Aaron Fleming, Steven Bowler, Padraig Fleming, Daire Kennelly Capt., Joshua Osayanrhion. Front Row L to R: Olaf Michalczuk, James Fernane, Zigi Kaletka, John Feely Photo: Alan Cantwell
By Alan Cantwell
THE Warriors BIDL side take on Carrick Cruisers in the final of the inaugural Basketball Ireland Development League (BIDL) final on Sunday next at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
The Warriors have made it to the final with an unbeaten run of five games to take their place in the very first final of the newly introduced competition.
The Warriors booked their ticket for Tallaght with a win over Ongar Chasers in a semi-final meeting in Moyderwell that the Tralee side threatened to dominate after the early exchanges.
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However Ongar came right back into the contest and kept the Warriors honest to the very end before Luke O’Hea’s side finally saw out an 84-73 win.
The Warriors are unbeaten in after their four group matches with wins over Clare Crusaders, Tipp Talons, Fr. Mathews and St. Mary’s Castleisland along with two walkovers over Portlaoise Panthers and Clare Comets.
They topped the table in Conference 1 with the offensive prowess of James Fernane, Joshua Osayanrhion, Olaf Michalczuk, Dan and Steven Bowler and Fleming brothers Padraig and Aaron a huge part of the Warriors success to date.
The Warriors Development side have a number of the U20 players doubling up at the weekend including Joshua Osayanrhion, Olaf Michalczuk, and Eddie Sheehy as well as current Warriors Seniors Steven Bowler and Zigi Kaletka and former players James Fernane, Daire Kennelly and Padraig and Aaron Fleming.
They will take on a Carrick Cruisers from Carrickmacross in Co. Monaghan who sealed their place in the decider with an 85-70 win over St. Mary’s Castleisland in the semi-final.
The Cruisers went through the round robin phase of the competition with 6 wins and a single defeat away to Phoenix Wolves.
They boast former Super League players Martins Provizors who played with DCU St. Vincents along with talent elsewhere on the court including Ramunas Ramunauskas, Vitalijus Kaminkas, Audrius Urbanavicius and Andrew O’Connor.
The BIDL Mens Final tips off at 11.00am on Sunday next the 14th of April at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
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