Brian Concannon returns from injury as Killimordaly defeat Moycullen
Shooting accuracy rising above 75% won the game for Killimordaly against an also impressive Moycullen, who may find themselves unfortunate to be in a relegation final after some good performances this year.
Noel Quinn allowed the game to flow, as supporters were treated to a great spectacle of hurling with the first 14 scores coming from play. The sides were level twice in the third quarter, as this game was played at a great pace all throughout.
By the time Dermot Earls’ side knocked over their 15th point of the first-half, they had registered just one wide. Killimordaly started strongly as Darren Daly, Brian Burke, Shane Monahan, Michael Lewis, Gary McDonagh, Owen Earls, and Paul Creaven all split the posts in the first nine minutes.
Diarmuid Davoren and Eanna Noone registered Moycullen’s first scores, before a brace of James Bradley points along with Niall Mannion’s effort cut the deficit to two after 12 minutes.
Killimordaly recorded eight of the next 10 scores, as they were truly up for the occasion, which the scoreboard began to reflect. Owen Earls and Brian Burke threatened for goal on occasion; while a Killimordaly goal was also ruled out for a square ball as the green flag eluded both teams. Burke, Creaven, Daly, and Earls all contributed scores as Killimordaly led 0-15 to 0-7 after 25 minutes.
Moycullen crucially reeled the scoreline back by four to prevent the contest from slipping out of reach. Ciarán Ryan’s charges finished the half strongly as two frees from James Bradley along with points from play by Niall Mannion and Mark Bradley left the 2021 Intermediate champions trailing by four at half-time.
Moycullen continued their regained momentum in the second-half, as James Bradley (twice), Noone, and Kearns cut the deficit to the minimum, before substitute Fionn McDonagh and Bradley levelled affairs at separate stages. Paul Creaven and Earls registered Killimordaly responses; while Galway senior Brian Concannon was also sprung from the bench, after returning from injury.
It was 0-17 apiece after 40 minutes as the game remained tight, but Killimordaly produced more clutch moments, while Moycullen could not produce scores at the same pace. Dual player Fionn McDonagh scored three more times, while other substitute Micheál Martin Walsh, Diarmuid Davoren, and Mark Bradley contributed the remaining points.
Burke, Daly and substitute Ronan Cahalan led the remaining scoring charge for Killimordaly alongside efforts from Earls and McDonagh. Daly and Burke each recorded inspiring scores from their own half when the game hung in the balance, while a 49th minute save from former Galway hurler Éanna Ryan was also crucial to prevent the sides from going level.
In the end, Killimordaly pushed on strongly, at one stage leading by 0-28 to 0-21 in injury-time to round off a performance befitting of a side preserving their status as senior hurlers for 2027.
Moycullen produced a good performance, with plenty of positives to take with them into their relegation battle with Cappataggle in two weeks’ time.
Killimordaly: É Ryan; D Connolly, A Brett, L Janssen; M Lewis (0-1), D Concannon, A McDonagh; J Fitzpatrick, G McDonagh (0-2); P Creaven (0-4), B Burke (0-8, 0-4f), D Daly (0-6); O Earls (0-4), S Monahan (0-1), L Lynskey. Subs: B Concannon for Monahan (36mins), I Broderick for A McDonagh (43mins), R Cahalan (0-2) for Creaven (inj, 45mins), P Creaven for Lynskey (52mins), T Earls for G McDonagh (55mins).
Moycullen: J Molloy; Fiachra McDonagh, M Donohue, Daire Davoren; E Enright, E Davoren, Diarmuid Davoren (0-2, 0-1f); E Noone (0-2), M Bradley (0-2); N Mannion (0-2), J Bradley (0-8, 0-3f), C Cunningham; M Gillespie, C Folan, P Kearns (0-2). Subs: Fionn McDonagh (0-4) for Enright (h-t), M Walsh (0-1) for Mannion (42mins), M Kearns for Gillespie (42mins), J Nolan for E Davoren (60mins).
Referee: Noel Quinn.