Diarmuid Davoren’s late strike earns Moycullen a draw with Tommy Larkins

Jason Flynn was forced off through injury in the first half, while Cian Daniels was also unavailable for Saturday’s clash. Moycullen trailed for the majority of this contest with Larkins looking in control for large periods but the men in green and white finished strongly to earn a hard fought draw.

Moycullen will be disappointed not to have claimed a victory in Group One, but their performances against both Loughrea and Tommy Larkins will give them plenty of confidence heading into their relegation semi-final against Killimordaly.

Tommy Larkins raced into a 1-2 to 0-1 lead after just six minutes when Jason Flynn found the net from a 20-metre free. The Woodford club extended their advantage to 1-5 to 0-2 by the 13th minute, with Adrian Moran, Conor Slattery and Eoghan Nevin also getting on the scoresheet.

Kelly’s charges had also hit three wides during that spell and could have been further ahead.

Three points from James Bradley, along with a score from Mark Bradley, kept Moycullen within touching distance as they trailed 1-6 to 0-6 after 19 minutes.

The previous year’s county quarter-finalists then created some breathing space through Jason Flynn and Ronan Murphy. Flynn was forced off shortly afterwards, but Murphy, who has been one of the standout performers in this year’s Galway SHC, continued to cause problems and had three points from play inside the opening 24 minutes.

James Bradley replied with another placed ball before Michael Martin Walsh opened his account as Moycullen went into the interval trailing 1-8 to 0-8.

Tomás Lyons, who had taken over the free-taking duties, and another score from Murphy saw Tommy Larkins restore their five-point advantage by the 33rd minute.

Moycullen refused to let them pull away, however, with Niall Mannion, Eamonn Enright and Colm Cunningham reducing the deficit to just two points.

After the third-quarter mark, Colm Flynn, Lyons, Slattery, McHugo and Murphy helped Tommy Larkins move 1-15 to 0-14 ahead.

Once again, Moycullen responded, with James Bradley adding three points, two of them from placed balls, to reduce the gap to the minimum with five minutes remaining.

Tommy Larkins edged two points clear again, but Moycullen produced a dramatic finish.

Diarmuid Davoren landed a long-range effort before converting a long-distance free to level the contest at 1-16 to 0-19 with two minutes remaining.

It looked as though Colm Flynn had done enough to secure victory for Tommy Larkins, but Colm Cunningham’s goal attempt was blocked on the line. Davoren then converted the resulting 65 to level the game once again, leaving both sides to settle for a share of the spoils.

Ronan Murphy, Eanna Murphy, Eoghan Nevin, Conor Slattery and Colm Flynn produced solid displays for Tommy Larkins. Diarmuid Daveron, Colm Cunningham, James Bradley and Micheal Martin Walsh were in impressive form for Ciaran Ryan’s charges.

TOMMY LARKINS: E Murphy; E Nevin (0-1), C Nevin, D Duggan; C Hanley (0-1), R Murphy (0-5), K McHugo (0-1, 0-1f); A Moran (0-1), T Lyons (0-2, 0-2f); J Flynn (1-2, 1-1f), B Shiel, C Gardiner; C Flynn (0-2), B Porter, C Slattery (0-2). SUBS: K Dervan for J Flynn (21, injury), C Tuohy for Porter (44), B Porter for Gardiner (56).

MOYCULLEN: J Molloy; M Molloy, F McDonagh, Daire Davoren; E Enright (0-1), M Donohue, Diamuid Davoren (0-3, 0-1f, 0-1 65); C Cunningham (0-1), M Bradley (0-1); N Mannion (0-2), J Bradley (0-8, 0-6f), M Gillespie (0-1); P Kearns (0-1), C Folan, M Martin Walsh (0-2). SUBS: J Kelly for Kearns (52) L Gannon for Mannion (57).

REFEREE: Karol Collins (Oranmore Maree)