An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen 80
Titans 77
Moycullen earned the local bragging rights for another season following a second close-fought battle in a week against Titans in Saturday’s National League fixture.
Having come from behind to claim victory in last week’s cup semi-final with a strong defensive performance, on Saturday in NUIG Moycullen were superior in an offensive shootout..
Moycullen oozed with confidence early on and a good spread of scores from James Loughnane, Cian Nihill, Eoghan Maxwell, and Nollaig Cunningham gave them the lead. Paul Freeman and David O’Keeffe responded for Titans, only for the returning Glenn Hynes to stretch Moycullen’s lead to 22-15.
The second quarter continued the pattern of the first with both teams scoring freely. Cian Nihill was unguardable for Moycullen, while Mindaugus Kurcenkovas chipped in with seven of his season-high 21 points. Paulius, Darren Callanan and O’Keeffe responded for the visitors as they matched Moycullen score for score, but at the half Moycullen were in front by 42-34.
Nihill continued to be the chief scorer for An Cearnog Nua, but Titans spread their scores through O’Keeffe, Freeman, and Paulius.
At one stage Moycullen led by 26 points, but Titans dug in. Sparked by Conall McMichael and Derek Mulveen who hit a pair of scores, O’Keeffe and Freeman began to dominate, cutting the lead by nine, 71-54.
Momentum was with Titans as they hit three three-pointers, before Jack Considine hit another three and McMichael ‘s steal brought them within two. However Maxwell nailed the second of two free shots to clinch a hair-raising 80-77 victory.
An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen: Cian Nihill (26 ), Mindaugus Kurcenkovas (21 ), Glenn Hynes (10 ), James Loughnane (8 ), Nollaig Cunningham (6 ), Eoghan Maxwell (3 ), Dylan Cunningham (3 ), Paul O’Brien (3 ), David Lee, James Brophy. Coach: Zbigniew Mardon
Titans: Paul Freeman (22 ), David O’Keeffe (20 ), Paulius Peldezius (11 ), Conal McMichael (9 ), Derek Mulveen (8 ), Darren Callanan (4 ), Jack Considine (3 ), Danny Finn, Pat O’Neill, Cian McKeown, Colin Turke. Coach: Mike Lynch.
