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Alan Cantwell reports on Garvey’s Tralee Warriors victory at the Tralee Sports Complex on Sunday…
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 89
UCC Demons 76
Trae Pemberton in action on Sunday. Photo: Liam Ryan
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors produced a performance of real quality at both ends of the court to overcome UCC Demons in a highly entertaining and at times highly charged encounter at a packed Tralee Sports Complex on Sunday afternoon.
The sides meet again on Wednesday week in what promises to be another real battle between the Super League rivals when they face off in the quarter final of the National Cup in the Parochial Hall in Cork.
In a lively first quarter it was Demons that get into their stride quicker than their hosts and with early baskets from Adrian O’Sullivan, Lehman Colbert and Jack O’Mahony the visitors pushed out to a 12-5 lead with the only resistance coming from Darragh O’Hanlon with a three and a score from Kieran Donaghy.
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Darco Bucan landed from outside for the Cork side and when O’Sullivan was on the mark twice in quick succession the Demons led by 13.
Scores from Goran Pantovic, Eoin Quigley and two big threes from Fergal O’Sullivan saw the Warriors cut the advantage but Colin O’Reilly, Colbert and another 3 from Bucan had Demons ahead 29-17 at quarter time.
Action from the game on Sunday. Photo: Liam Ryan
The Warriors upped their intensity level in the second and after Niall O’Reilly got Demons moving with a three a quick blitz of major scores from O’Sullivan and Quigley had the Warriors trailing by just four midway through the quarter.
Colbert and O’Reilly again had Demons lead by double figures but when Trae Pemberton got into gear with scores from inside and out and O’Sullivan landed his third three of the quarter the home side were back within range.
Pantovic, Quigley and a trademark Pemberton three saw the sides go to the long break on level terms at 47 points apiece.
Donaghy fired the Warriors ahead with two early scores in the third and the momentum swung significantly towards the home side when Pemberton stepped in to fire three successive threes and the hosts led by 5.
O’Sullivan and Colbert kept the Demons score ticking over but when Quigley and Donaghy scored from distance and Pemberton and Pantovic hit baskets suddenly the Warriors were out to a 15 point lead 75-60 at three quarter time. At three quarter time the Warriors
The huge home supporters were really finding their voice now as the Warriors drove for home early in the fourth quarter. Quigley, O’Sullivan and two spectacular dunks by Pantovic had the big crowd yelling for more.
Adrian O’Sullivan and Jack O’Mahony chipped in with free throws but Warriors heavy lifting in the second and third quarters was now paying dividends as they maintained an 18 point lead throughout the final quarter.
However late free throws from O’Sullivan and O’Mahony cut the deficit to put a slightly better look on the score for the visitors before a Quigley three saw the Warriors home by 89-76 in the end.
The intense rivalry between the sides was on show for all to see throughout this exciting and at times absorbing encounter.
The game simmered throughout without ever boiling over but the physical exchanges were frank and honest and the contact was at times robust. Big players from both sides eventually ran out of fouls before the end of the game resulting in Kieran Donaghy and Demons Colin O’Reilly and Jack O’Mahony being forced to watch the last few minutes from the bench.
The Warriors will now look for a repeat performance to rise to the challenge of the Demons again on Wednesday 13th December when they travel to take on the Leesiders in a winner take all National Cup quarter final.
The game will be played in the Parochial Hall in Gurranabraher with an 8.00pm tip off. The club is encouraging as many people as possible to make the trip to support the Warriors as they bid for a place in the National Cup semi final.
Scorers
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors: Trae Pemberton 25, Eoin Quigley 22, Fergal O’Sullivan 19
UCC Demons: Adrian O’Sullivan 29, Lehmon Colbert 26 Colin O’Reilly 6
