Warriors pipped by UCC Demons in opening night thriller

MEN’S SUPERLEAGUE

UCC Demons 79 Garveys Tralee Warriors 77

NOT the result or the level of performance Warriors anticipated against a Colin O’Reilly inspired Demons side in the first game of this season’s Superleague in the Mardyke Arena last Friday. Chasing the game from the outset, Warriors initiated what looked like being a match winning come back in the third quarter, but, ultimately lost out to a more efficient and clinical home side.

Patrick McCarthy, in his first competitive outing with Warriors was in the starting five alongside Pemberton, Pantovic, Bogdanovic, and Donaghy and acquitted himself quite well. However the visitors zone defense was repeatedly found wanting and unlocked in the first quarter by the superb shooting of Colin O’Reilly. He shot two early threes as Warriors trailed 16-6 after seven minutes and were behind 20-14 at the end of the opening quarter. Baskets from Donaghy, Pemberton, McCarthy and Pantovic offered some hope for Warriors throughout the second quarter, but, a return of just two points from eight free throws, and a scoring surge from the outstanding O’Reilly meant that Warriors were eighteen points adrift 48-30 at the half time break.

Reassessing their game plan, and, reverting to man to man with Kieran Donaghy in a direct match up with Colin O Reilly brought about a complete change in the contest, with Warriors limiting Demons to just eight points throughout the third quarter and Goran Pantovic completing the comeback to level matters on fifty six points apiece, at the end of that period.

Warriors briefly went in front in the final quarter 56-58, but baskets from Carlton Cuff, Kyle Hosford and Adrian O’Sullivan helped to regain the lead and the initiative for Demons. The outcome remained delicately poised, going down the stretch and, with just forty seconds remaining, Warriors, just two adrift, and, in possession had the opportunity to level the tie, and even win it with a three-point score.

However, a misplaced pass from Pemberton which went out of bounds sealed their fate, and, brought about a result which not many had predicted given that Demons, didn’t have an American player in their ranks, and had just nine players at their disposal which, significantly included Irish Internationals Kyle Hosford, Adrian O’Sullivan and Colin O’Reilly all of whom contributed handsomely to the victory.

Warriors, who were without Darren and Fergal O’Sullivan due to another sporting commitment, along with Darragh O’Hanlon, who had just returned from the United States, used just seven players, and individually and as a unit their efforts were somewhat inconsistent and indifferent. Early days yet, but certainly there’s a bit of work to do for coach Mark Bernsen who will be hoping to have a full squad back together for this weekend’s fixture on Saturday (8pm) in the Tralee Sports Complex against Kubs who were beaten 49-89 last weekend at home to Belfast Star.

Warriors coach Mark Bernsen put the defeat down to some poor defence while Kieran Donaghy said a poor start was to blame for the team’s loss.

“We dug ourselves a hole and fought back to take the lead by a score or two,” Bersen said, “and we showed great character, great tenacity to get back in the game but our defence let us down. We missed some guys sitting on the bench for different reasons or another, and everybody has to do their best, but our defence let us down a bit tonight.”

Donaghy added: “Demons started really well and we were kind of fighting an uphill battle. We were down eighteen at half time, nearly had it back in the third, but the start wasn’t good enough. We are not going to do anything this year if we start games like that. There’s a big onus on us next week, with the big home crowd in Tralee.”

Meanwhile, Demons’ Colin O’Reilly said: “Obviously Warriors will be disappointed but the way we played in the first half there’s not going to be any team who will live with us anyway. The way (Warriors) played in the second half I don’t see any teams beating them if they get that consistency. One of those games at the start of the season where it was a bit sloppy at times, excellent at other times.

“Both teams are going to have to find a balance going forward, get the rotations a bit better. I would expect that Warriors, if they don’t make the top four, the rest of the League is very strong.”

Scorers Demons: Warriors:

C O’Reilly (31), D Bucan (12), A O’Sullivan (11) D Bogdanovic (19), T Pemberton (14) G Pantovic (14)