A stern test awaits Moycullen's youthful Superleague side this weekend as they travel to Dublin to face last season's league finalists, DCU Saints.
This late night game of the week, tipping off at 7pm in DCU Sports Complex, is expected to reveal a lot about the young guards currently starring on the senior stage for the Galway club.
A bright display last weekend was not enough to see the home side win their opening game in Galway against UCC Demons. In a fiercely fought contest the more experienced Demons won by 80-72.
"To lose a game we really felt like we could win is disappointing,” said Moycullen guard Cian Nihill, “ but I think we all took a lot of confidence from just how well our young guys played today.
"We lost the majority of our team to emigration this summer, but it has given some of our u-18s and 20s a chance to shine. Demons deserved the win today, but we'll learn a lot from the game and come back stronger."
The close scoreline was a fair reflection of the game with little separating the teams for the 40 minutes. While Demons got off to a hot start through early three pointers from Ciaran O'Sullivan and Shane Coughlan, it was Moycullen that lead at quarter's end, 24 to 23.
Disaster struck for the home team, however, in the second when player-coach Salva Camps picked up two unsportsmanslike fouls, disqualifying him from the rest of the game. Moycullen responded well initially with American Pat Sullivan contributing six crucial points during this stretch.
It was not enough to fully cushion the blow as Demons regained the lead, and won the second and third quarters, leaving themselves four points up entering the final period.
An inspired performance by u-18 player Paddy Lyons looked like it might lead to a famous home win as he connected on two massive three-pointers to bring the large crowd to its feet.
However Demons showed their experience by hitting a number of crucial long-range efforts that allowed them to keep the cushion and help them to victory.
Moycullen: Pat Sullivan (17 ), Cian Nihill (15 ), Paul O'Brien (11 ), Salva Camps (8 ), Ian Burke (7 ), Paddy Lyons (6 ), Stephen Tummon (6 ), Nollaig Cunningham (2 ), Stephen O'Brien, Sean Candon, Dylan Costelloe, Mark Rohan.
