Exiles bring to an end Moycullen's magnificent year

Robert Emmetts 1-12 Moycullen 2-7

Niall Canavan in Ruislip

MOYCULLEN’S hopes of becoming the first Galway side to win the All-Ireland intermediate hurling championship ended in Ruislip on Sunday when they went down narrowly to Robert Emmetts. 

The Galway champions will be disappointed in the wake of this outcome, but over the coming weeks Moycullen can reflect on what has been a fairytale year for hurling in their club.

A first county intermediate title since 1964 and a coveted Connacht title were annexed by Fergal Clancy’s side and despite this loss to an excellent Robert Emmetts’ team, they can look forward to senior club hurling in 2012.

In truth, the exiles were the better side over the hour but Moycullen showed wonderful battling qualities throughout and could have forced the game into extra time had Eanna Noone’s injury time 65 dissected the posts instead of going narrowly wide.

Almost immediately, Maurice Callanan shot the insurance score to propel the London side into an All-Ireland semi-final meeting with Carlow’s Mount Leinster Rangers.

On the day, Moycullen didn’t perform to their abilities and that will probably be foremost on their minds as they consider this defeat. In fairness they started brightly. Eanna Noone pointed a free while Matt Donoghue was hurling up a storm at full back – exemplified particularly when he blocked a goal bound Peter Atkinson effort on four minutes.

The sides were level at three points apiece after 20 minutes following a second Noone free and a Vinny Faherty point for Moycullen. Robert Emmetts responded with points from Peter Atkinson (2) and Shane Ryan.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.