Moycullen have made a significant move up the betting for the All-Ireland Senior Club Football championship after they surged into the Connacht semi-finals at Westport's expense.
Captain Dessie Conneely hit 10 points as the Galway men brushed off an early goal from the first-time Mayo champions to run out winners by 3-18 to 1-11.
Although Kilmacud Crokes remain 2/1 favourites, Don Connellan’s side went to 4/1 from 8/1 leaving just Crokes and reigning champions Kilcoo ahead of them in the latest betting.
However Moycullen cannot afford to get ahead of themselves. They have a quick turnaround to Sunday's Connacht semi-final clash with Roscommon champions Strokestown in Tuam Stadium when they look to reach the Connacht final for the first time in their history. They will be backed by a strong Moycullen following who have definitely begun to dream about how far this journey can go.
Last Sunday's Westport had no answers to Moycullen’s athleticism and accuracy up front as they were totally overpowered on the day.
Moycullen were forced to start Sunday's game with the notable absence of Peter Cooke, unable to play due to work commitments in the US. There was, however, a return to the bench for James McLaughlin, who is still recovering from a long-term thigh injury.
The star of the show on Sunday was corner forward and captain Dessie Conneely who kicked a total of 10 points, five coming from play. Despite Dessie’s heroics, it was Niall Walsh who opened the scoring in the first half with an impressive point from distance inside the first 30 seconds.
Westport immediately responded through Fionn McDonagh before Conneely displayed all his sharpness and slick hands to deliver a brace of points putting Moycullen back in front.
In the ninth minute, it looked as if the game was set for an enthralling encounter as Westport centre back Brian McDermott stormed forward to slam the ball into the top corner, which was quickly followed up with another point from the impressive Oisin McLaughlin to put Westport two points to the good.
The Moycullen captain had other ideas, however, as he looked like a man on a mission following his quiet county final.
He kicked six more first-half points as Moycullen outscored Westport 1-08 to 0-02 as they entered the break 1-11 to 1-04 to the good.
Westport’s shooting had let them down as they spurned numerous easy point scoring chances, it continued in the second half as they coughed up many more simple opportunities to drag themselves back into the game.
Killian Kilkelly, Oisin McLaughlin and Lee Keegan attempted to lead a charge to drag Westport back into the game, but Don Connellan’s side simply had too much.
Michael O’Reilly and Aidan Claffey raised another two green flags for Moycullen to really emphasise their dominance, and after Westport’s initial fightback died down, Paul Kelly, Sean Kelly, David Wynne and Owen Gallagher dictated the game around the middle third.
Paul Kelly was particularly impressive in the second half and was involved in everything good his side did going forward, while also notching two points of his own.
Moycullen now look forward to Tuam Stadium on Sunday which is a quick turnaround, but one they look primed for. It is hard to look past them beating the Roscommon champions Strokestown on Sunday and into a Connacht final for the first time in their history.
