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Alan Cantwell watched the Men’s Superleague 2018/2019season opener for Garvey’s Tralee Warriors at the complex on Saturday night…
Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 86
Keane’s Supervalu Killorglin 89
The opening round of the 2018/2019 Super League season got underway last night with Garvey’s Tralee Warriors and Super League newcomers Keane’s Supervalu Killorglin playing out a thrilling encounter in front of a packed Tralee Sports Complex.
In a game that had everything you would expect from a local derby, the result was in doubt right down to the final seconds. However in the end it was the visitors that prevailed to open their Super League account with a famous win.
In an evenly contested first quarter it was the visitors on the mark first through Daniel Jokubaitis with Darragh Jones also in range.
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The Warriors replied through Darren O’Sullivan, Jordan Evans and Paul Dick before Jones, Marin Brzica, Eoin O’Sullivan and a three from the impressive Pierre Newton helped push Killoglin out to a seven point lead.
The Warriors hit back with Evans, Eoin Quigley and Paul Dick restoring parity before Fergal O’Sullivan and Newton traded excellent threes as Killorglin led 23-21 at quarter time.
Newton continued to unsettle the Warriors defence early in the second with his direct approaches to the board and with Jones and Ivan Bogdanovic finding the target Killorglin opened up a 13 point lead.
Warriors responded through Quigley, Evans and Paul Dick but Newton and Adam Donoghue drilled two threes to maintain the visitors lead.
Paul Dick led the Warriors charge back into the game banking in two scores before hitting a superb three to leave just three between the sides at half time.
The Warriors momentum swing continued early in the third with Jordan Evans hitting three stunning threes and with Dusan Bogdanovic adding from under the boards the home side suddenly were six ahead.
Newton with two and a Bodganovic three led the Killorglin revival and the lead changed hands again.
Paul Dick, Janis Dumburs and Dusan Bogdanovic kept the Warriors score ticking over before the introduction of Kieran Donaghy saw him immediately land a score to edge the home side ahead and the end of the third.
When Fergal O’Sullivan opened the scoring in the final quarter with another excellent three it looked like the Warriors were setting sail for home as the sides turned down the stretch but Killorglin replied with threes of their own through Jones and Donoghue.
O’Sullivan again landed a score from range for the Warriors and when Quigley laid up the home side were five up.
However Killorglin sensed their opportunity to cause an upset when Newton again fired in from distance and Bogdanovic added from close range. Darragh O’Hanlon, Dumburs and Evans all hit big threes for the Warriors that brought the huge crowd to their feet as they edged ahead.
However with the finishing line in sight Paul Dick couldn’t add to the Warriors lead with two trips to the free throw line.
At the other end of the court Newton fired in a score and was unerring from the line for the visitors as he shot six from six to claim a famous victory for his club.
Top scorers: Garveys Tralee Warriors: Paul Dick 25, Jordan Evans 20, Fergal O Sullivan 9, Eoin Quigley 9
Keane’s SuperValu Killorglin: Pierre Newton 34, Daniel Jokubaitis 13, Daragh Jones 13
• Next up for Garvey’s Tralee Warriors is a trip to the Mardyke Arena next Friday night and a date with UCC Demons. Tip off there is 8.00pm.
