A trip to Tralee and a National Cup quarter-final awaits Moycullen’s Superleague basketballers this Saturday as they face Tralee Warriors in the town’s Sports Complex at 7pm.
Moycullen will no doubt welcome a break from regular league action where they have recently been at the wrong end of some dramatic close encounters and are stuck winless at the bottom of the table.
And Moycullen head coach John Cunningham is hoping the cup provides a win the club needs after a tough start to this year's league.
"The cup has that magic and provides a chance for teams who are drifting back in the league with a realistic shot at silverware and a really big day come the end of January,” Cunningham says.
“We know we are nobody’s favourites to win the cup, or probably to even get beyond Tralee this weekend, but we believe in ourselves and that’s all we need.
"The group is incredibly resilient and we know we have the talent to cause an upset if things come together for us.”
Facing Moycullen is Tralee Warriors, a team riding high in the league having secured three wins and suffered just a solitary loss to date. One of those wins came at the expense of Moycullen on October 17 when the men from the Kingdom left Galway with a tense, but well-earned three point victory (81 - 84 ).
On that occasion, Moycullen were hit for 31 points by Tralee’s dynamic American Aaron Calixte whose explosive moves off the dribble carved up the Moycullen defence time and time again. Coach Cunningham knows a stronger defensive display is required this time around.
“We have worked really really hard on our defence since that meeting back in mid-October. The guys have really put in the time and hard yards at training, and it is something we have really focused on as a group,” says Cunningham.
Aside from containing Calixte, a robust Moycullen defence will be crucial in general for the visitors in limiting the influence of what is always a voracious home Tralee support that, without fail, packs out the entire Sports Complex and generates one of the best atmospheres in Irish sport.
Tralee also boasts a myriad of attacking options with senior Irish international Eoin Quigley one of the game’s most athletic wings, while former Kerry footballer Kieran Donaghy and lights-out shooter Fergal O’Sullivan bring plenty of experience to the table. Bosmen Nikola Roso and Daniel Jokubaitis pack a further scoring punch, while back up American Allan Thomas is a luxury to complement Calixte.
So while it will undoubtedly be an upset should Moycullen depart Kerry Saturday night with a win and a spot at the National Cup semi-final weekend in mid-January, the men from the west have shown repeatedly this season that they are more than capable of going toe to toe with the best around. What they have failed to do to date has been to get over the line and turn good performances and close scorelines into actual victories.
They will hope the magic of the cup can be the catalyst to see them over that hump. Visit the official club website for all the latest news - https://moycullenbasketball.net.
Maree and Mystics
Also in the men's Superleague, NUIG Maree grabbed another win, taking the scalp of UCD Marian by 80-64 in the Kingfisher Gym. The home side led 47-35 at half-time, and thanks to strong shooting from Lovre Tvrdic, helped by Jeryn Lucas and Deondre Jackson, the newly-formed NUIG Maree were comfortable winners.
NUIG Mystics, secured a 76-66 at Griffith College Templeogue in the MissQuote.ie Division 1. In a tight opening half, NUIG Mystics led by a two points, 38-36 but pulled clear in the end - with Courtney Cecere (22 ), Áine McDonagh (16 ) and Hazel Finn (10 ) contributing to the winning tally.
