.
At the launch of the Irish TV Tralee Warriors basketball Super League team were, from left: Goran Pantovic, Steven Hannifan, Paul McMahon, Mark Bersen (Coach), Rick Leonard, Gerry Fernane, Trae Pemberton, Darren O’Sullivan and Kieran Donaghy. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
SINCE 2009 Tralee has been in the wilderness when it comes to top flight basketball on this island.
This Friday night that will all end when the Irish TV Tralee Warriors play their inaugural game of the Men’s Super League in Cork.
And it doesn’t come more difficult for The Warriors who face 3-time defending champions, UCC Demons in the Mardyke in Cork City.
The roots of this team began when Kieran Donaghy and Cllr Terry O’Brien sat down last November and formulated a plan to bring Super League basketball back to Tralee after a seven year absence.
Continued below…
.
The team is an amalgamation of Tralee basketball clubs Imperials and St Brendans’ senior teams.
Almost a year on from that first meeting and after a lot of hard work, a team was formed, a sponsor was found and a new chapter for basketball in Tralee is about to begin.
Kieran Donaghy has been one of the main driving forces behind The Warriors.
“The squad is there, the appetite for the game in Tralee is there. There’s huge interest in the game and I’m delighted to be part of the team to help bring it back,” said Kieran Donaghy.
“It’s a huge amalgamation for both clubs and we’ll be looking for the support of both clubs on game night and everyone in the town to row in behind this Tralee Warriors team,” he said.
Continued below…
.
Donaghy will be on court this Friday, but will miss The Warriors home opener in the Tralee Sports Complex the following Saturday against Belfast Star, due to county championship commitments with Austin Stacks.
“I’m looking forward to getting back playing in it. It’s the top league in the country and it’s only right there is a team from Tralee in it,” he said.
Drawing on inspiration from Steph Curry’s Golden State Warriors, the reasons for the team name also came from a highly competitive local derby match between Tralee Imperials and St Brendans last year.
“It had a huge crowd. Someone said afterwards ‘there was a lot of warriors out there’ because the players gave it their best,” said Donaghy.
“We wanted something with an ‘S’ on the end of it because the chant in town used to be ‘let’s go Tigers’ now it’s going to be ‘let’s go Warriors!” he said.
Former Tralee Tigers boss, Mark Bernsen, is on board as coach and once again finds himself at the forefront of basketball in town.
Bernsen has only had his team for six weeks, who have yet to play any opposition, so preparations have not been ideal.
“It’s here,” said an excited Mark Bernsen. “Wish we had a couple more weeks to get sorted but the time is here, we’ll put on the shorts and see what happens. Some guys have been playing football, some players are just coming along with imports so we haven’t had a full panel every night. We need to play a game. Whether we’re ready or not we need to play,” said Bernsen.
The Warriors welcome three intriguing new imports to Tralee: Trae Pemberton (USA), Goran Pantovic (Serbia) and Dusan Bogdanovic (Croatia).
Pantovic and Bogdanovic both measure just shy of seven foot in height. It’s hoped these two can give the crowd in The Complex a lot to cheer about. “We got a couple of big guys, if we can give them the ball we should be okay,” said Bernsen.
Another one of those imports Trae Pemberton has come to Tralee from Indiana. Trae has been in town for almost a month and is bedding in well to the different environment.
“The town is beautiful,” said Trae enthusiastically. “Some of my teammates have been taking me all around the place, but I definitely need to get in a round of golf!” said Pemberton.
While here, Pemberton has become acquainted with the town;s Super League history and is excited about orchestrating its revival.
“I’m ready to bring it back. So many good things have been said to me about the past and I’m glad I’m going to be the team that brings basketball back to Tralee,” said Pemberton.
Irish TV Tralee Warriors Team Roster and Coaching Staff
Kieran Donaghy, 6’5 – Guard
Michael ODonnell, 6’3 – Point Guard
Darragh O’Hanlon, 6’3 – Guard
John Dowling, 6’5 – Centre
Trae Pemberton, 6’4 – Point Guard
Rick Leonard, 6’7 – Forward/Centre
Ryan Leonard, 6’3 – Shooting Guard
Darren O’Sullivan, 6’2 – Guard
Stephen Hanafin, 5’9 – Point Guard
Fergal O’Sullivan, 5’11 – Shooting Guard
Paul McMahon, 6’3 – Power Forward
Garry Fernane, 6’2 – Shooting Guard
Dusan Bogdanovic, 6’11 – Centre
Gary Murphy, 6’1 – Point Guard
Goran Pantovic, 6’10 – Centre/Power Forward
Coach – Mark Bernsen
Assistant Coaches – Rick Leonard and Rob Mulcahy
Manager – Jimmy Diggins
Assistant Manager – Thomas OHanlon
