Big time basketball returns to Kerry

SEVEN years ago when the all conquering Tralee Tigers departed from the National stage there wasn’t that many, if any, amongst the local basketball fraternity who felt that there would be a return to the top flight by a Tralee club, given the amount of effort and expense which is required if one is to participate and stay afloat at this level. However, the success of St Brendan’s in the National Intermediate Cup last season provided the basis for both themselves and Tralee Imperials to consider the possibility of a joint venture with the intention of amalgamating their playing resources with a view to a Tralee club returning to the Premier competition.

A lot of aspects had to be considered, not least, the considerable expense involved before the application was submitted and approved, but once the green light was given by the I.B.A it’s been full steam ahead for the newly formed Tralee Warriors.

Mark Bernsten, who coached Tigers to their last Superleague success back in 2007-2008, and, was involved in a coaching capacity with Tralee Imperials last season has returned from the United States, and, has been appointed as Head Coach for the forthcoming season with Rob Mulcahy as his assistant. Jimmy Diggins and Thomas O’Hanlon are the team managers.

American Trae Pemberton (6’ 4”) has been recruited as one of the two imported players and he will operate in the point guard position. Power forward, from Serbia Goran Pantovic (6’ 10”) has joined under the Bosman rule having played in Sweden last season. However, he is ineligible for the first four fixtures, due to the residency ruling, but, Croatian centre Dusan Bogdanovic (6’ 11”) is eligible, and, will most likely fill the number five spot in the initial absence of Pantovic. Paul McMahon (6’ 3”) will also provide cover in this position.

Kieran Donaghy who inspired the St Brendans success last season, and, was the Superleague Player of the Season during Tigers golden era, is obviously key to Warriors prospects, but, along with Michael O’Donnell will have to juggle his commitments as a Gaelic footballer, given the involvement of Austin Stacks on all fronts locally mat the moment.

Overall, it’s quite a young, if somewhat inexperienced squad, even if Darragh O’Hanlon has Superleague experience. The O’Sullivans, Fergal and Darren, from St Brendan’s will feature as shooting guards, as will Ryan Leonard, still just a teenager, but already an absolutely outstanding prospect. In Donaghy’s absence, John Dowling (6’ 5”) from Imperials will most likely fill the number four spot, while Stephen Hannafin, Gary Murphy and Gary Fernane are others who provide options both as off guards and shooting guards.

Next Friday’s first outing in the Mardyke Arena against the reigning champions U.C.C Demons is certainly a baptism of fire for the Tralee combination. Demons have remained a formidable force in the League for decades, and will certainly provide a searching test for Warriors given the unavailability of the towering Goran Pantovic. Indeed the entire season ahead will fully test Warriors credentials and capability to compete at this level. Along with Demons, both Swords Thunder and Templeogue are expected to challenge strongly for the title.

Warriors, whose first home game is on Saturday, October 1 in the Tralee Sports Complex when they entertain Belfast Star, while their first round opponents in the National Cup is Swords Thunder in what is a two-legged affair, with the first game pencilled in for Tralee on October 22. The reward for the winner is an away tie against either Demons or Temleogue.

So, while there will be a level of expectation, as there always is in Tralee, realistically the challenge for Warriors is in many ways somewhat daunting, but then this is just a first step along the way which hopefully will help to establish Tralee as a force on the national scene again.

Tigers in their heyday always enjoyed a phenomenal level of support, and one can be assured that the crowds will flock to the Sports Complex when Warriors get their season of home fixtures underway. The indications are that there’s going to be a lot of twists and turns along the way, and really it probably won’t be until November - a month when Warriors have three home fixtures - that one will be able to fully evaluate their position and their progress after eleven competitive fixtures.

The real plus for all basketball enthusiasts in the Kingdom is that a special sporting package is back in Tralee on Saturday nights.