Tralee Warriors Aim for Second National Cup Title Against Ballincollig

Tralee Warriors are set to compete for their second National Cup title tonight against Ballincollig at the National Basketball Arena. The match follows a decade since the formation of the team, which emerged from a merger between Tralee Imperials and St Brendan’s. With a surge of success for Kerry sports recently, including victories in various championships, the Warriors aim to carry that momentum into the final.

Captain Eoin Quigley describes the Warriors as “firm underdogs” against a strong Ballincollig side, who are currently at the top of the league standings. Despite a 13-game winning streak coming to an end last weekend against St Vincent’s, Ballincollig remains a formidable opponent, bolstered by their American players, Latrell Jossell and Latavious Mitchell, both averaging over 21 points per game this season.

Quigley acknowledges the challenges faced by the Warriors this year, particularly the loss of two young local players, Rapolas Buivydas and Ryan Leonard. Many had written off the team’s chances of success, but Quigley sees this as an opportunity to prove critics wrong. “Winning would be sweet because everyone wrote us off at the start of the year,” he stated.

With the team having experienced significant changes, Quigley emphasized the importance of channeling the team’s frustrations into a strong performance. “We definitely have a chip on our shoulder and fire in the bellies. We just need to bring that energy on Saturday night.”

The Warriors have faced additional obstacles this season, including the collapse of the Tralee Sports Complex roof due to heavy snowfall in January 2023. Now playing at MTU Kerry, which has a reduced capacity, the team has seen a decrease in gate receipts. Quigley remarked on the difference in atmosphere, acknowledging the fans’ unwavering support. “Our fans would go anywhere; they’d watch a game in a back alley,” he noted.

As the team prepares for the final, they are also looking forward to the proposals for a masterplan for the Tralee Sports Complex, which are expected to be unveiled at the end of the month. Quigley, who has been a vital part of the Warriors’ success, including two league titles and a National Cup victory in 2022, is determined to lead his team to another triumph.

Quigley, along with Daniel Jokubaitis, the MVP from the 2022 final, remains committed to the Warriors despite the team’s evolving dynamics. The absence of key players such as Fergal O’Sullivan and Kieran Donaghy has added to the challenges, yet Quigley remains focused on achieving victory in tonight’s match.

The final against Ballincollig is set to begin at 20:00 and will be broadcast live on TG4. As the Warriors look to upset the odds, they aim to demonstrate their resilience and passion on the court.