PHOTOS/REPORT: Warriors Overpower Moycullen To Open Super League Account In Style

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Rap Buivydas in full flight. Photo by Liam Ryan

Alan Cantwell reports on a successful opening to the InsureMyVan.ie Men’s Super League season at Tralee Sports Complex last night…

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 90

Moycullen 65

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors got their Super League campaign off to a flying start with a dominant 25 point win over Moycullen in front of a packed crowd at the Tralee Sports Complex on Saturday night.

The Warriors led by double figures at the end of all four quarters as they played the game on their own terms throughout to see out a comfortable win in the end.

Daniel Jokubaitis opened his and the Warriors account with the first score of the new season before adding again from beyond the arc and when Jarvis Doles and Ryan Leonard with a double followed suit the home side led 16-9.

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Moycullen resistance came in the form of scores from James Connaire and Josiah Laracey but Doles hit back to back scores to see the Warriors lead by 9 mid-way through the quarter.

Moycullen captain Grant Olsson cut the gap with a tough finish under the board but new American Johnny Williams found the time and space to fire in a late three to see the Warriors lead 27-17 at the end of the first.

Warriors captain Eoin Quigley scores. Photo by Liam Ryan

Moycullen steadied the ship early in the second with scores from Olsson and two from Aitor Perez reducing the deficit but major scores from Darragh O’Hanlon and Doles pushed the Warriors advantage back out to double digits.

Captain Eoin Quigley, Jokubaitis and Williams added a quick fire salvo that suddenly had 21 between the sides.

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Olsson again came to the rescue for the visitors with scores from the line, inside and outside to cut the lead to 16 but foul trouble for the Galway outfit at the other end saw Rap Buivydas and Cian O’Sullivan take full value from the line and the hosts headed for the long break with a 50-30 lead.

Jarvis Doles continued to torment the Moycullen rear-guard early in the third with a double either side of two free throws from Jokubaitis to push the Warriors further ahead.

Virgin Media MVP Daniel Jokubaitis lands a score. Photo by Liam Ryan

The Warriors defence was dominating the exchanges under the home board, however with Olsson on the mark again for the visitors and Antonio Molina hitting two impressive threes, the visitors just about stayed in the game trailing 58-42 midway through the quarter.

Buivydas from inside and Quigley with a three combined to keep the Warriors score ticking over but efforts from Perez and Ivan Basic for Moycullen late on pared the gap back to 65-48 at three quarter time.

The Warriors continued to control affairs at both ends of the court in the final quarter with Leonard and Quigley in range again.

Moycullen’s troubles were compounded when Aitor Perez doubled down on a technical foul call by referee Leanne Ahern and the Spaniard was ejected from the hall.

Daniel Jokubaitis then proceeded to make his MVP award secure with a hat trick of scores after Zigi Kaletka arced in a cracking effort and push the Warriors advantage out to 30.

Ryan Leonard floats in a basket. Photo by Liam Ryan

Moycullen to their credit battled to the final buzzer but scores from Kyle Cunningham, Basic and Molina added little but respectability to the final score line of 90-65.

Head Coach John Dowling will have been pleased to see his side ease to such a comfortable win having given good minutes to Super League newcomers Eddie Sheehy and Olaf Michalczuk as well as playing without the services of Keelan Crowe and Kieran Donaghy.

Cian O’Sullivan in action. Photo by Liam Ryan

Scorers:

Garvey’s Tralee Warriors –Daniel Jokubaitis 21, Jarvis Doles 21, Rap Buivydas 12, Ryan Leonard 12

Moycullen –  Grant Olsson 20, Ivan Basic 11, Aitor Perez 10

• The Warriors face another Galway side in Round 2 when they travel to take on reigning National Cup champions University of Galway Maree, and despite their opening night loss to University of Ulster, they will provide a much stiffer test of the Tralee side’s Super League credentials. Tip off next Saturday evening in the Kingfisher Arena is at 6.00pm.

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Soccer Tournament Raises €2,500 For Local Charity

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Claire Maher, on behalf of Bumbleance, accepting the cheque for €2,500 from Colm McLoughlin, Mike McCannon, Ed O’Regan, Conor McCannon and Christy Leahy of St Brendan’s Park FC. Photo by Dermot Crean

THE proceeds from a recent youth soccer tournament were presented on Saturday morning.

The Bumbleance Cup 2023 was held at St Brendans Park FC in August with around 350 players from 15 clubs taking part.

Held in aid of BUMBLEance Children’s Ambulance Service, teams from all over Munster  took part in the Under 12 tournament for boys and girls.

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It was another hugely successful event and €2,500 was raised on the day and all at the club wanted to thank all who made it a success.

“We’d like to thank St Brendan’s Park for the donation, it’s great that a local soccer club supported the charity and we’d like to thank all the clubs for contributing,” said Claire Maher of Bumbleance.

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Miss Kerry To Host Coffee Morning For Tie Day Friday

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Miss Kerry, Leah Galloway, is looking forward to the event next Friday.

MISS Kerry is getting involved in a great fundraiser this Friday by hosting an event in Tralee.

Leah Galloway will host a coffee morning at the Lakeside Cafe at Tralee Bay Wetlands  for Tie Day Friday. Taking place from 11am to 1pm, people are invited to come for coffee and treats and make a donation to the Kerry Mental Health Association.

On #TieDayFriday, everyone is encouraged to wear a tie – the more colourful and outrageous the better — and make a donation to a great cause.

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It’s all part of the Kerry Mental Health & Wellbeing Fest being held from October 7-14. A record-breaking number of free in-person and online events are taking place during the week where the key focus is to promote mental health and wellbeing in Kerry through a diverse programme of fun, informative and interactive events.

There are 120 events throughout the county to choose from. Visit www.KerryMentalHealthAndWellbeingFest.com to see the full event schedule or for general enquiries about the Kerry Mental Health and Wellbeing Fest, please email kerrymhwfest20@gmail.com.

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