Moycullen and Athenry to do it all again in Junior B decider

Moycullen 0-13 Athenry 2-7 

A converted free kick from former senior All-Ireland winning Galway star, Paul Clancy, salvaged a draw for Moycullen in the last minute of normal time in their Claregalway Hotel junior B football final clash with Athenry at Pearse Stadium on Saturday.

Moycullen had ample possession to carry the day, but too often they were wasteful in the final third of the field, whereas Athenry were more clinical in front of goal, reaping a far greater return from their fewer scoring opportunities.

Heading into the last five minutes of this encounter – which was played in atrociously wet and windy conditions in Salthill – Seamus Lydon’s charges looked to be comfortable, leading by two points, 0-12 to 1-7.

Then Athenry struck for their second green flag of the day. Moycullen’s defence had enough bodies back to deal comfortably with a long, high speculative ball into the danger area by Athenry centre-forward Seamie Fahy but somehow corner forward Brian Costello – who could be accused of goal hanging were it soccer! – latched onto the breaking ball and coolly buried a shot past ‘keeper Evan Gibbons. A clinical, opportunist’s finish.

Moycullen galvanised themselves for another assault on the Athenry defence and Clancy, with his fourth free of the day, levelled matters to earn a replay.

However, had one of the best players on show, Moycullen wing-back Paraic Kilduff – who was lively throughout – steadied himself a bit more in front of the posts with the last chance of the game, the Connemara men would have snatched a win at the death, Roy of the Rover’s style, but in fairness stalemate was probably the fairest outcome.

The two sides were certainly evenly matched in the opening quarter as they grappled to get to grips with the elements. They were tied four points apiece 18 minutes into the first half – an Aidan Greaney brace (one free) and points from David Farrell and Seamie Fahy for Athenry were matched by scores from play from Moycullen’s Cillian Grant, Michael Hurney, Paul Adley and Denis O’Dwyer – but then the West Board outfit’s superior ball winning abilities around centre field began to pay off as they stretched ahead with the next four unanswered white flags.

Corner forward Adley, Clancy (free), midfielder Kevin Donovan, and substitute Niall Mannion – who looked hungry when introduced early on – made it double scores, 0-8 to 0-4, in favour of Moycullen, although full-forward Aidan Greaney landed a crucial free on the stroke of half-time to leave just a kick of the ball between them.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.