Despite another big game from Mike Callaghan who once again had a double double, this young team SSE Renewables Moycullen just came up a little short against a tough, physical and smart Dublin Inter team.
The home team started off well with Dylan Cunningham & Mike Callaghan once again proving to be a real handful for the opposition and while the game wasn’t as end to end as the previous weekend it was building up to be an enthralling contest between two contrasting styles. On one hand SSE Renewables Moycullen were looking to get out and run at every opportunity while the visitors were looking to slow the game down and pound the ball inside to their two excellent big men. The end of the first quarter had Moycullen up 5.
The second was very similar to the first with Moycullen edging ahead only for the opposition to haul the lead back in. Ronan O’Sullivan connected on some nice moves inside to complement the hard work of Stephen O’Brien & Sean Candon. Once again Mike has his obligatory highlight reel finish with a monster slam midway through the quarter. However, worryingly for Moycullen the Dublin Inter guards were beginning to find their range from the 3-point line and were punishing the home team with ruthless efficiency.
Unfortunately all the hard work that SSE Renewables had done in the first half was for naught as in the third quarter the Inter scoring blitz from outside really began to take its toll. Despite the best efforts of Eoghan Maxwell, who put in a great defensive performance all evening; from being up 6, Moycullen were suddenly down 4 after a run of 4 3’s in quick succession by the visitors in a devastating finish to the quarter.
Try as they might in the final quarter, SSE Renewables just weren’t able to bridge the gap and Dublin Inters experience really was the difference in the final 10 minutes; whenever Mike or Dylan brought the team within touching distance, a reply was there from the visitors to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Unfortunately the bonus point was agonisingly close for the home team but they didn’t get their just rewards and missed out by the slimmest of margins
The performances from this young squad are improving and while they face a daunting trip to League leaders Killester at the weekend they travel on the back of two much improved performances and if they can continue with this progression they will put it up to their Dublin rivals. Key for the team is to remain focused for the whole duration of the game, they have shown in all of their games that they can play with anyone in the league for a quarter or a half, it’s getting that performance over a full game that is key. It’s a tough baptism of fire for most of the players but they’re beginning to grasp what Salva wants them to do and that belief coupled with their desire and hard work will get his rewards
Once again many thanks to our great supporters, who were with us every step of the way on Saturday and continue to be the best and most vocal in the league. The last home game before Christmas sees SSE Renewables Moycullen play DCU Saint in Colaiste Iognaid on Saturday 14th December at the normal time of 6:30pm.
Mike Callaghan 23, Dylan Cunningham 20, Ronan O’Sullivan 7, Paul O’Brien 5, Eoghan Maxwell 3, Stephen O’Brien 3, Sean Candon, Gerald Lyons , Ian Burke, Tomas Gilson, Darragh Mulkerrins, Evan Costelloe, Nollaig Cunningham
Categories: Men's Superleague, News
CC Mhaigh Cuilinn 