Next up for Moycullen basketball is their first double header of the season with a tricky encounter away in UCD on Saturday night, followed by a game versus UL Eagles on Monday in NUIG.
Moycullen’s guard Cían Nihill is hoping the UCD tie will spark their season in the same way it did when the two teams met a year ago.
“Last year we got our first win against UCD when Dylan Cunningham had that great three-pointer at the end of the game to win it. Hopefully it can be our first win this time around again.
“We are playing well at the moment and we all feel that with a small bit of improvement we could have had two wins from three already. All we can do is just keep working and hope that the pieces fall into place come Saturday.”
The team will certainly have to be focused come Bank Holiday Monday when they invite one of the favourites for the title, UL Eagles, to the Kingfisher gym.
“Limerick were a real force last year and deservedly got to the league final. The fact that they have added guys like Carlton Cuffe and Ciaran White means they have a bench as good as most starting fives in the league.”
“One of the things that Limerick always bring is massive physicality. We have to be ready to stand up to that and hold our own. Obviously keeping a control on Scott Kinevane will be a huge key for us defensively, but Michael Dowd has had a great start to the season and should be well up for the challenge.”
On Saturday, UCC Demons celebrated a victory over Moycullen and 11890 Killester cruised to success against Belfast Star.
Last weekend Moycullen held a 17-point halftime lead over UCC Demons, but narrowly lost out by 88 - 83.
Cian Nihill inspired Moycullen’s first half display with 21 points, but a second-half defensive surge by Demon’s Shane Duggan and Ciaran O’Sullivan propelled the Cork side to the victory.
Moycullen: Mason Ambler (30 ), Cían Nihill (24 ), Stephen Tummon (12 ), Michael Dowd (9 ), Dylan Cunningham (8 ), Mindaugas Kurchenkovas (3 ), John Cunningham, Nollaig Cunningham, James O’Brien, James Brophy, Kevin McDonald, Kieran O’Connor
