Despite excellent performances from Dylan Cunningham, who finished with 27 points, and Mike Callaghan, who scored 25 and a massive 21 rebounds, SSE Renewables Moycullen were unable to secure the home win against Neptune in Saturday evening’s premier league.
SSE Renewables Moycullen pushed their opponents all the way in a game which was in the melting pot right up to midway through the fourth quarter, but eventually fell in the fourth quarter to lose by 83-116.
Both teams started out the game strong in attack - Neptune scoring from the three-point line and SSE Renewables from going inside and driving to the basket. In a high tempo, free scoring spectacle, the teams shared a massive 63 points in the first quarter, with Moycullen down by one point.
The second was the same as the first. With Tomas Gilson controlling the point and Paul O’Brien having his game, there was no let up on the scoring front. Stephen O’Brien, in his return from injury, and Gerald Lyons also began to find their range from the outside. This helped to open up the Neptune defence, which allowed Callaghan more space inside to shoot.
At the end of the half, the gap was just three points, but a poor start to the third quarter saw the gap widen. However Eoghan Maxwell settled the team on defence, and with the offence once again clicking, SSE Renewables Moycullen cut the deficit down to four.
A number of missed opportunities on the offensive end, coupled with some costly turnovers by Moycullen, led to some easy scores for the visitors. From four down, the gap had jumped to 14, as Neptune shut down Cunningham and Callaghan and the scores dried up.
Next up for Moycullen is a trip to Dublin to play UCD Marian.
Moycullen: Dylan Cunningham 27, Mike Callaghan 26, Paul O’Brien 11, Stephen O’Brien 9, Gerald Lyons 5, Ian Burke 2, Ronan O’Sullivan 2, Eoghan Maxwell 1, Tomas Gilson, Darragh Mulkerrins, Rory Gilson, Nollaig Cunningham, Evan Costelloe, Sean Candon.
