Moycullen take on the Superleague table toppers DCU Saints this Sunday as the two teams square off in Dublin on Sunday after losses in their respective fixtures last weekend.
While DCU suffered a loss to UCC Demons, Moycullen fell at home by 84 - 65 to the reigning Superleague Cup champions, UCD Marian, who produced a clinical display to finish deserving victors.
In a tight encounter played in front of another large NUIG crowd, Moycullen never got into any sustained offensive rhythm, but managed to keep the game close through some fine scores by Luke Enos and Dylan Cunningham, as well as point guard Michael Dowd, who had two big three-pointers in the first half when his side needed them most.
It meant that despite playing poorly, Moycullen trailed by only two after the first quarter and four heading into the half time break.
“We felt like we were going to make a run at that point, that we would find our rhythm,” said head coach Gerald Lyons.
However down by five points with less than a minute remaining in the third, Moycullen conceded an easy basket off an out-of-bounds play, which widened the gap to seven. After a missed shot on the far end, Marian showed the sharper minds to quickly launch a last-second attack and tip in a basket as the buzzer sounded. The score left the visitors up nine and with a sizeable lead for the first time entering a quarter’s end.
By gambling for steals to try to capture a dramatic win, Moycullen left themselves open defensively in the closing minutes and the in-form Marian guards took full advantage, stretching their lead out to a flattering 84 to 65 final score line.
“In the end they got the run to push out a lead instead of us making one to capture it,” said Lyons.
“Their switching defence caused us a lot of problems, but I am happy with how the lads hung in there. We never really got going, but hustled enough to keep it close and gave ourselves a great chance. Marian were better on the day.”
The game saw the introduction of Barcelona born player Salvador Camps for Moycullen, who played in the top league in Spain, the ACB, alongside clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid.
While it will take a few games for Salvador to settle in, he showed some glimpses of what he is capable of and should bring a new level of creativity to Moycullen in their second round of games in the Superleague, having proved they are capable of beating any team on their day.
“We need to refocus now and look to get a win versus DCU. They pipped us here at home when they scored twice in the last 30 seconds to win by two points.” said Lyons.
Moycullen: Luke Enos (24 ), Dylan Cunningham (15 ), Cían Nihill (8 ), Michael Dowd (6 ), Salvador Camps (6 ), Paul O’Brien (5 ), Stephen Tummon (2 ), James Loughnane, Patrick Lyons, Nollaig Cunningham, Ian Burke.
