Warriors edge epic battle to down Templeogue again

MEN’S SUPERLEAGUE ROUND 8 Templeogue 93 Garvey’s Tralee Warriors 99

GARVEY’S Tralee Warriors outplayed, outsmarted and, for the second time in a month, outpointed Templeogue on their home court to record another famous win, just four weeks after their National Cup victory at the Oblate Hall. In a totally absorbing encounter the Warriors dug deep into their resources to bring the game back from the brink midway through the third quarter and see them win out in an epic finale.

Neil Randolph and Jason Killeen exchanged early scores with Jordan Evans and Kieran Donaghy before Randolph hit the first major score of the game. Killeen and Dee Proby pushed the home side ahead before Evans fired in his first three and Fergal O’Sullivan did likewise to level the scores.

Eoin Quigley and new signing Keith Jumper edged the Warriors ahead before Templeogue embarked on a devastating raid on the visitors basket. Randolph, Proby and Arcilla shared 12 points between them as the hosts raced 32-22 ahead. Bogdanovic stopped the rot for the Warriors to see Templeogue end the quarter eight ahead.

A three from O’Sullivan and a score from Bogdanovic cut the lead but Templeogue were getting to the basket and finding their scores that bit easier to open a 44-35 advantage despite threes from Evans and Quigley.

Killeen and Proby combined to put 14 between the sides early in the third before Donaghy and Dick hauled the Warriors back from the brink with scores. Dumburs bridged the gap further but the home side looked best placed to drive for home half way through the quarter. Randolph continued to torment the Warriors defence and when he added six and Stephen James laid up the Red and White army led by 10.

But in a sensational turnaround the Warriors launched a stunning offensive assault and with Evans, Jumper, Dumburs, O’Sullivan, Donaghy and Dick adding 13 unanswered points the visitors suddenly led by three.

The home side were now uncharacteristically at sixes and sevens but in the final act of the quarter Proby cut the lead to 72-71.

Pat Price’s charges stormed into the final quarter with three turnovers that saw Dick, Evans and Quigley all profit at the board and the Warriors lead was out to nine. Dick and Quigley were on the mark but when Padraig Burke Murphy and Randolph replied the gap was cut to four.

Dick then produced two stunning plays, firstly turning over the ball and hitting two from two from the resulting foul, then firing in an inspirational three to keep the Warriors advantage intact. Evans then drained another three from to put the Warriors 92-84 up.

Templeogue were now completely rattled and when Murphy and Proby could only shoot one from four from the line the visitors dared to believe that they could prevail at the Oblate again. The home side did produce a finish worthy of their reputation with James and Proby cutting the gap to a point. But time and fouls were working against them and the Warriors free throws all dropped and Templeogue’s fate was sealed. It was fitting that the outstanding Paul Dick landed the final scores of the absorbing battle.

TOP SCORERS

GARVEY’S TRALEE WARRIORS :Paul Dick 29, Jordan Evans, 22, Eoin Quigley 13

TEMPLEOGUE: Neil Randolph 32, Dee Proby 29, Jason Killeen 17

Next up for the Warriors is the National Cup quarter-final with UCC Demons in the Tralee Sports Complex next Sunday at 3.30pm. The advice is get there early and expect a classic.