Sean Kelly returns from injury as Moycullen ease past Monivea Abbey

Galway senior footballer Seán Kelly also made his return to competitive action following a shoulder injury. Kelly missed Galway’s All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Dublin and had not featured competitively since the county’s victory over Westmeath on June 14.

Niall Walsh produced another outstanding individual performance, finishing with 2-8 and once again underlining his status as one of the leading forwards in the Galway SFC. During the opening half, former Leitrim and Cavan goalkeeper Nevin O’Donnell also provided Moycullen with a valuable platform through his excellent kick-outs.

Monivea-Abbey struggled to cope with Moycullen’s physicality around the middle third and the county champions’ ability to attack at pace from deep. Saturday’s performance demonstrated the importance of adapting a defensive approach against Clancy’s side, with Monivea-Abbey left to rue how open they were at times.

Moycullen made a blistering start, racing into a 1-7 to 0-3 lead after just 15 minutes, with Walsh proving a constant threat to the Monivea-Abbey defence. The Moycullen sharpshootyer had already contributed 1-6 during a devastating opening quarter.

Niall Mannion and Glenn Kelly combined to reduce the deficit to five points, but Moycullen quickly regained control. Scores from Ger Daveron, Paul Kelly and Johnny Moloney stretched their advantage before Clancy’s charges moved 1-11 to 0-5 ahead after 25 minutes.

Just two minutes later, Moycullen struck for their second goal as Charlie Cox finished off a well-worked team move. Conor Corcoran added another point, while Glenn Kelly and Lewis Ryan also found the target for Peter Maher’s side as Moycullen took a commanding 2-12 to 0-8 lead into half-time.

There was little sign of the Connacht finalists easing off after the restart, adding four further goals in the second half through Seán Kelly, Walsh, Seán O’Connor and Johnny Moloney to complete a convincing 19-point victory.

Just two minutes into the second half, Seán Kelly embarked on a powerful run before brilliantly firing his shot into the top-left corner of the net. On 35 minutes, Cox was fouled by Monivea-Abbey goalkeeper Denis Farragher inside the small square and Walsh confidently converted the resulting penalty, leaving Moycullen firmly in control at 4-13 to 0-9.

Seán O’Connor, who has been one of Moycullen’s standout performers during the club championship, then raced through the Monivea-Abbey defence before calmly slotting the ball past Farragher.

Eight minutes later, Fiachra McDonagh delivered a superb ball across to Johnny Moloney, who palmed the ball into the net to complete Moycullen’s sixth goal.

It was a difficult evening for Monivea-Abbey, although Lee Kenny, Cillian McDaid and Glenn Kelly continued to battle and combined for 0-15 between them.Peter Maher’s side will now look to put the result behind them and bounce back against Milltown in the preliminary quarter-final.

For Moycullen, Cathal Clancy will welcome the four-week break before their Galway SFC quarter-final, giving his squad valuable time to recover and potentially bring their absent key players back into contention as the championship reaches its decisive stages.

MOYCULLEN: N O’Donnell; M Hynes, E Kelly, M Moughan; C Corcoran (0-1), S Kelly (1-1), D Wynne (0-1); P Kelly (0-5, 0-3f), G Daveron (0-1, 0-1 mark); J Moloney (1-2), N Walsh (2-8, 1-0 pen, tp), S O’Connor (1-0); C Cox (1-1), F McDonagh, C Gallagher. SUBS: A Claffey for S Kelly (39), T Peyton for Moloney (52).

MONIVEA-ABBEY: D Farragher; K O’Reilly, C Cooley, C Mannion; L Ryan (0-1), L Kenny (0-4, tp), C Dolan; T Mullins, D Burke; A Ryan, C McDaid (0-3), G Kelly (0-8, tpf, 0-2f, 0-2 45’s); P Mullins, S King, N Mannion (0-2). SUBS: J Collins for P Mullins (27), B Moran (0-1) for King (Half-time), J Burke for Dolan (38), J Finn for L Ryan (39).

REFEREE: Gerald Anthony Lohan (Annaghdown).