Hurney hat-trick sends Moycullen men over the line

Moycullen 3-14 Four Roads 0-16

Darren Kelly  in Athleague

THE turning point was the talking point but nobody disagreed last Sunday that Moycullen’s superior fitness with 2-4 in the final quarter secured them Connacht championship glory and qualification for the All-Ireland series.

In an exciting provincial intermediate hurling final, one wouldn’t have thought it was November as the sun graced Athleague and the exhibition provided by two teams willing to attack was a treat to enjoy six weeks before Christmas.

Four Roads had edged 0-15 to 1-10 ahead in a high scoring encounter entering the final quarter before an Eanna Noone free and a Thomas Higgins point restored parity, but Fergal Clancy’s side took the match winning lead in the 47th minute.

Seosamh O Fatharta started with a run setting up Niall Mannion. The wing forward turned to strike and looked to have had the distance. However, as his shot appeared to drop over the bar, Four Roads keeper David Dowd, who’d earlier pulled off two important saves, knocked the sliothar back into play.

The home contingent was convinced the ball had gone over the bar but the umpires and referee were happy to continue. Christopher Hurney, already with the smell for goal, was quickest to react, getting the touch to help the ball over the line and Moycullen never looked back.

Philip Lydon and Noone split the posts against a Shane Curley free for Four Roads to lead 2-14 to 0-16 before Hurney finished off his goal scoring exploits in injury time receiving Conor Bohan’s pass for the hat-trick to ensure the Galway champions emerged victorious.

The game began as it would continue with Four Roads attacking from the start and they led 0-2 to 0-0 within three minutes thanks to efforts from Brian Donnelly and Johnny Moran. Philip Lydon opened Moycullen’s account 60 seconds later but Hurney raised his first green flag in the fifth minute.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.