An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen return to league action this weekend with two crucial matches in their quest to top the division.
First up is a home game on Saturday against the ex-Moycullen star Adrian Walsh and his Limerick Lions, followed up by a trip to Portlaoise on Sunday. With divisional rivals, St Marys Castleisland and local rivals Titans both on winning runs, Moycullen know that every point is vital in the bid to secure home games throughout the play-offs.
Last weekend they were given a stern test from Longford Falcons in the National Cup competition, and despite entering the game as favourites, they struggled to a 58 - 48 win to set up a mouth watering semi-final with local rivals Titans in January.
A resolute Longford side did their homework and shut down the Moycullen offence as the teams went toe to toe for three-quarters before Moycullen’s resilience shone through as they edged ahead and closed out the game.
Moycullen were slow out of the blocks and a series of early turnovers dented their confidence and gave Longford plenty of encouragement. Longford played a patient game, with the experienced pair of Mick Murphy and Lennie McMillan running the show, and as Moycullen became frustrated refereeing decisions went against them. As a result 13 of Longford’s first 15 points came from the free-throw line and when Lennie McMillan nailed a three, the home team trailed by 14-18.
However Moycullen proceeded to shut down Longford totally, limiting them to just four points in the quarter, while at the other end Eoghan Maxwell and John Cunningham combined for 10 points, and a late score from Nollaig Cunningham gave the home team a 29-22 half-time lead.
Longford showed admirable battling qualities in the third. Their zone defence continued to trouble Moycullen’s passing game and scoring was at a premium. Lennie and Mick Murphy connected on successive threes to cut the gap to 38-35, and on the last play of the quarter a neat pass from Shane Campbell set up Shane McGuckin for a buzzer beating score, leaving a single point between the teams, 38-37.
Finally, however, Moycullen found their rhythm. An early Garnett Griffin score set the tone and Cian Nihill escaped the Longford shackles for two hard-earned baskets. Mindaugus Kurcenkovas hit a purple patch, scoring six points in a row as Moycullen opened up an eight-point lead. Lennie McMillan kept Longford in touch and, with Cian Nihill fouling out with six minutes left, the home team were still under pressure. However they knuckled down and defended solidly from there to the end with only another Lennie McMillan three pointer giving cause for concern. Glen Hynes made three free throws as the home team earned a hard fought 58-48 victory.
An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen: Eoghan Maxwell (11 ), Cian Nihill (10 ), Garnett Griffin (10 ), Mindaugus Kurcenkovas (10 ), Glenn Hynes (7 ), John Cunningham (4 ), Nollaig Cunningham (4 ), Dylan Cunningham (2 ), James Loughnane, Gerald Lyons, David Lee, James Brophy. Coach, Zbigniew Mardon
