Enda Walshe reports
Scott’s Lakers St Paul’s will start their Men’s Division 1 Basketball season with a difficult tie against Limerick Sports Eagles at the Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre this Saturday (7.30pm).
The visitors look like they will be lining up a serious assault on the division this season with what is probably their strongest line-up. The games between the two sides last year were evenly shared, ironically with both sides winning away from home.
The Lakers probably produced their most complete performance in winning 99-92 last February in the UL Arena while the Eagles soared in Killarney last December with an 85-78 victory.
The key man that night and indeed all season for them was Manny Payton and he is back in harness again this year.
He will be joined on court by Reece Barry, the towering Ronan Cregan, Jack Coyne, Niko Ivkovic while their star signing of the off season was undoubtedly the return of Jason Killeen.
Although now 37, his height and strength is bound to be an asset for the Eagles in what is his second spell with the club, having previously spent three seasons at the UL Arena.
But the Lakers will be keen to make home advantage count in the season opener. Although shorn of the presence of Mark O’Shea and Paul Clarke, due to GAA commitments, the presence of David Gleeson and Ronan Collins will be a bonus.
Jamie O’Sullivan and Senan O’Leary will have learned no end from last season’s experience as well as Portuguese Rui Saravia who has made Killarney his home. The club’s outstanding underage structure has seen Eoin O’Carroll, Mark Sheehan and Jack O’Sullivan come to the fore and they will be involved this season. Jamie Cooke, well known for his prowess on court with the Kerry Stars, is also involved.
The club had initially signed Eric Cooper Jnr but the American’s recent injuries has curtailed his ability to perform to his maximum and he has retuned home. Replacement Jack Ferguson has arrived in Killarney and he will be keen to impress on his debut. The Indiana native had an extremely impressive record at the renowned University Colgate and cites his strengths as being a good shooter.
He will be joined on court by Esebio Strijdhaftig who plays point guard and the Bosman player from the Netherlands was very adept in defence and in taking the ball to the rim at his previous club Almere in his native league.
Killarney’s premier online news and advertising service. Call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
