Never was the phrase ‘defence wins championships’ more appropriate than on Saturday when An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen, staged a magnificent late recovery over local rivals Titans in the National Cup semi-final in Castleisland.
Playing without three key players and losing main scorer Cian Nihill to foul trouble while six points down with six minutes remaining, Moycullen, inspired by James Loughnane and the Cunningham father and son combination Nollaig and Dylan, were forced to dig deep to drag themselves level before clinching victory in overtime. They will now face old rivals Castleisland in the National Cup final in the National Basketball Arena with nine of last year’s team that clinched the National U-20 Cup.
Titans, however, will feel hugely disappointed that they could not close out the game when in control, but their high-scoring attack never came to terms with the superb Moycullen defence.
On Saturday, shorn of the services of Garnett Griffin, Glenn Hynes, and John Cunningham, Moycullen’s game plan was to keep the game tight for as long as possible in the belief their big game experience and the mental advantage of a long run of successive wins over Titans would see them through,
Paul Freeman and Danny Finn opening strongly for Titans, while Cian Nihill and James Loughnane bore the load for Moycullen. Titans edged ahead 18-16 and the game remained equally tight in the second quarter. Conall McMichael connected on an early three for Titans, but Loughnane connected on a pair of baseline drives to cut the gap. Paulius Peldezius was productive for Titans, but Paul O’Brien and Mindaugus Kurcenkovas responded for Moycullen as both sides slugged it out, score for score. Nollaig Cunningham’s late basket saw the teams go in level at half time, 33-33.
Titans got on top in the third, using their size advantage effectively as Paul Freeman and Canadian Dave O’Keeffe combined for 12 points. Moycullen’s Eoghan Maxwell chipped in with a pair of baskets and Loughnane continued to be productive, but, with Cian Nihill forced to the bench with foul trouble, Moycullen struggled to stay in touch. In the end, solid efforts from Paul O’Brien and Dylan Cunningham off the bench kept the deficit to six points, 51-45.
Captain Nollaig Cunningham provided the initial inspiration for Moycullen with a pair of inside scores in the fourth. Paulius Peldezius, whose effectiveness was limited by foul trouble and a superb performance from Eoghan Maxwell, responded, but with the end in sight, Moycullen upped their defence. Maxwell, Mindaugus Kurcenkovas, and James Loughnane forced Titans out of any rhythm, and despite a size deficit, Nollaig Cunningham and guards Cian Nihill, Paul O’Brien, and Dylan Cunningham suffocated Titans’ twin towers of Freeman and O’Keeffe as neither player scored in the pivotal fourth quarter.
Although Moycullen lost Nihill, who fouled out with six minutes left, they continued to chip away with O’Brien and Nollaig Cunningham hitting vital scores. The teams went toe to toe, and with less than 30 seconds on the clock, the margin was down to two, 65-63.
A critical moment followed. James Loughnane drove to the basket and was fouled by Rimas Visockas. As emotions spilt over, resulting in a technical foul onVisockas, Moycullen were given four free shots and possession. Loughnane connected on one of two and then Dylan Cunningham connected on one of the two technical free throws to level the game to send the game to extra time.
Moycullen, with the momentum, were first to score from Dylan Cunningham at the free throw line. O’Keeffe and Freeman responded with a pair of free throws, but then man of the match James Loughnane got a crucial steal and a lay-up. Cunningham followed to stretch the gap to three. Loughnane and Darren Callanan exchanged scores as time ran out with Moycullen clinching a superb victory.
The two sides meet each again on Saturday in NUIG in the National League, and Titans will see this as a real opportunity for revenge.
An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen: James Loughnane (27 ), Cian Nihill (15 ), Nollaig Cunningham (9 ), Mindaugus Kurcenkovas (6 ), Paul O’Brien (6 ), Dylan Cunningham (5 ), Eoghan Maxwell (4 ), David Lee, James Brophy, Gerald Lyons, James O’Brien. Coach: Zbigniew Mardon.
Titans: Paul Freeman (18 ), Paulius Peldezius (17 ), David O’Keeffe (11 ), Danny Finn (10 ), Rimvydas Visockas (6 ), Darren Callanan (4 ), Conal McMichael (9 ), Jack Considine, Derek Mulveen, Pat O’Neill, Cian McKeown, Colin Turke. Coach: Mike Lynch.
