Early signs are good as Tralee back in the game

October, 2008. Tralee Tigers’ defence of their Super League title isn’t going well. And that’s being kind. 

Availability of players and issues with their home court have plagued the start of a season that began with a forfeit of their opening game. Worse follows after an 81-69 away loss to Limerick Lions, when head coach Mark Bernsen announces he is leaving for Switzerland.

Named coach of the year only months earlier, the Texan has received an offer he can’t turn down in Geneva and his loss to Irish basketball is compounded at the end of the campaign when the Tigers – a club with four national titles in the previous five years – folds. Such is the ease and speed with which fortunes can change in Irish club basketball.