Moycullen go into this Sunday's clash against reigning Superleague champions Belfast Star with a spring in their step, coming off the back of a dramatic two-point win over Killester in NUIG Sports Arena last weekend.
In a season full of last second heart breakers, it was Moycullen who finally seized the day at the death, winning with a shot from Joe Tummon as time expired to see off Killester 72-70.
The men from the west are hoping now that the win can banish memories of a series of close run losses from earlier in the season that has resulted in a win loss record far below the talent the group deserves.
“It means a lot, it shows our hard work,” says Joe Tummon. “We know we have been better than our record all year. We have been in close games with good teams and have just been on the wrong side of them.”
Belfast Star present a unique challenge. The current Superleague holders have had an uncharacteristically inconsistent campaign to date, brilliant at times and bafflingly poor at others. Moycullen, however, will care little. They have shown all season they play their own game - rugged defence and a grind-it-out attitude that keeps them in games against teams with more professional players and greater talent.
That was the case last weekend when, despite being one of the blue bloods of Irish basketball, Killester found themselves in a dog fight against Moycullen. With the teams level and nine seconds remaining, Moycullen had possession and a chance to win their first home game of 2022. Killester’s defence took away Moycullen’s first option of Grant Olsson, but point guard Eoghan Kelly drove to the basket, drew the defence before passed out to an open and Joe Tummon, who with a calm and collected delivery, knocked down the shot. It gave Moycullen a two-point lead leaving Killester time only for one last, full court, desperation heave.
The visitors' attempt fell well short, and Moycullen players and fans were left to savour a dramatic victory to kick of 2022 in style.
“We knew we were probably looking for Grant and they all kind of dropped to him when Eoghan drove,” says Tummon. “I had enough time to catch and shoot and set myself, obviously delighted I hit it. I missed enough early in the game so I knew I was due one”
The win comes in a season where Moycullen have lost multiple games by a single basket, failing to execute down the stretch when the pressure came. It is for that reason this win led to such celebrations on the buzzer.
Moycullen started the game with Kyle Cunningham and Grant Olsson finding their range early, and took a 19-11 lead and were still ahead 25-16 going into the second. However Killester's American Kason Harrell, who had scored 56 the week before against Tralee Warriors, found his rhythm, netting 12 in the quarter. As Moycullen struggled with the Killester full court pressure, the visitors were level 39 apiece at the break.
Harrell continued to score at will and with Tomas Fernandez becoming increasingly influential, they finished the quarter leadig 52 to 57.
However, the signs were good for the homes side with Dylan Cunningham, Josh Marvesley, Joe Morris, Ayberk Taylan and Kelly all getting in on the scoring act, and defensively, they kept Irish international captain Ciaran Roe and sharp shooter Paddy Sullivan in check. When James Lyons connected on a late three pointer, Moycullen regained control. Eoghan Kelly put together an unanswered five point run and the teams were level at 59 all with six and half minutes remaining.
Momentum went back and forth, and a Grant Olsson free throw with three minutes remaining put Moycullen into a five-point lead before a string of scores from Killester’s Eric Westbrooks and Farouq Raheem had the Dubliners back to within two.
A missed defensive rebound on a free throw with 14 seconds left gave the initiative back to the visitors, and Fernandez levelled the game, but that was before Tummon hit the game winner from the subsequent play, producing deserved celebrations for the home side.
