MOYCULLEN’S Superleague team finally got back home and back to winning ways this past Saturday, as they overcame Killorglin in the NUI Galway Kingfisher gym.

An incredible long-distance shooting display, coupled with some tenacious defense, saw Moycullen out in front for the majority of the game.

Speaking after the game, Moycullen assistant coach Gerald Lyons was pleased with his team’s performance. “It was just one of those nights where everything was clicking for us,” he said.
“The three-point shooting is great, but what we’re happiest about is our defense: that was what allowed us to be so productive in our scoring,” he added.

They started the game somewhat tentatively, however. Killorglin were first on the scoreboard, and their early scoring seemed to catch Moycullen unawares.

The large crowd in attendance was a little nervous in those first few minutes, however Moycullen soon settled though. Isiah Harris-Winn, Dylan Cunningham and Cian Nihill each nailed some three-point shots, and quickly helped turn a seven-point deficit into a 2-point lead.

From the second period on, Moycullen played much more assuredly.

Offensively, they moved the ball well, and continued to find scores from distance; Harris Winn connected on a trio of three-pointers in the period.

Defensively, Moycullen looked very sharp. Joshua Marvesely, one of Moycullen’s youngest players, did a stand-out job on the defensive end, essentially taking Killorglin’s American player out of the game. His tenacity drove his team-mates on and behind some more baskets from Nihill, the Cunningham’s and Patrick Lyons, Moycullen were up 41 – 35 when the halftime whistle sounded.

In the third, Moycullen continued to rely on the three-point shot, and fortunately for them, it continued to work. Their sharpshooting seemed to completely deflate Killorglin, whose offense faltered. Further scores from Nihill, Marvesely, Harris-Winn and Lyons put some more daylight between the sides.

Moycullen did not let up offensively in the final period. Harris-Winn still had the hot hand- his shooting propelled the Galway men into a 20-point lead mindway through.

On the opposite end, Marvesely continued his man-of-the-match performance. He suffocated each every Killorglin player who stood in front of him, picking up a block, a pair of steals and a handful of offensive rebounds for his efforts.

Moycullen came away comfortable victors in the end. All in all, they netted a remarkable sixteen three-pointers while holding Killorglin to a mere 57 points. The win could prove to be an important one for Moycullen come the end of the season.

Seven of their remaining eight games are at home, and if they are to salvage anything from this season, they will need to make the home advantage count. Next up for the team is their final away game of the season when they travel to Cork to face UCC Demons on Sunday 3rd February.
As mentioned by Asst Coach Gerald Lyons it was the defensive effort and intensity by each and every player on the court that was most pleasing to see. If they continue to build on that defence they will put themselves in a good position to dig out some vital wins.

For the club there are some very important dates just round the corner prior to that game against Demons.

Our U18 team play the U18 National Cup Final after a great display in the Cup semi-final. The club are organising a supporters bus to the game, details are here.

We then have a Table Quiz in the Forge on Friday 1st February; always a great night and a very important fundraiser.

The next home game is against Neptune on Saturday 9th February at 7:30pm in the Kingfisher.

Moycullen: Isaiah Harris-Winn (24), Cian Nihill (15), Paddy Lyons (12), Dylan Cunningham (11), Jashua Marvesely (9), Joseph Tummon, (5), Kyle Cunningham (2), Conor Curran (2), Paul Kelly (2), James Lyons, Dara Kenna.
Coach: John Cunningham     Asst. Coach: Gerald Lyons

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