This was a game that Moycullen will really regret losing. They had some great goal opportunities to put themselves into the county semi-final, but they did not take any of them.
On the other side of the coin, Killererin got two chances and registered two goals from Nicky and Padraic Joyce.
Some of the Killererin side in action last Sunday collected county senior titles in 1999, 2004 and 2007 and that reservoir of experience, craft and guile was vital in getting over the winning line last weekend.
When the chips were down and it looked like Moycullen had the momentum playing into the town goal in the last quarter, it was the men from Barnadearg who came up trumps. They manufactured a few frees and the sublime Padraic Joyce dispatched them to give them a little breathing space. Despite Moycullen’s late rally, they ran out of time.
You have to admire Killererin for the way they maximise their resources and grind out results when the odds are against them. They are a hardy bunch and as mentioned in this column last week they are really tough to defeat in St Jarlath’s stadium.
Alan Keane made a few crucial saves and in front of him Colin Forde, Damien Flaherty and Declan Kelly stood firm all through. Thomas Flynn worked hard around the middle and James Hughes did well on his introduction. Tommy Wilson and Tommy Joyce also played their part, but the 1-2 from Nicky Joyce and particularly the 1-05 from Padraic Joyce was the key difference between the sides.
If Moycullen had either of those players they would be in the last four. Instead they are out of the championship for another year.
Seamus Friel, Ciarán O’Connor, Sean Bradshaw, Philip Lydon, Brian Faherty, Conor Bohan, Paul Clancy, Mark Lydon and Gareth Bradshaw fought the good fight last Sunday, but they just lacked the cutting edge and Killererin’s class.
