Free at Last
Post date: Oct 31, 2011 6:47:17 PM
Moycullen secured a long awaited return to Senior ranks with a sparkling display against a much fancied Killimordaly side in Athenry on Sunday 30th October. In the tradition of their great predecessors in 1964, Moycullen trailed by three points at the break. As has been their form thus far they immediately cut the deficit to a single point on the restart. Killimordaly replied but when Eanna Noone dispatched a penalty emphatically to the net, the game was really in the melting pot. The sides exchanged points again before Killimordaly equalised. With the of normal time approaching, a sweeping move ended with Conor Bohan dispatching the ball to the net and the dream suddenly seemed inevitable. A tactical foul allowed a Killimordaly to score a point but there was to be no repeat of 2007. As the three minutes of extra time ticked by, Niall Mannion restored the three point lead and the game ended fittingly as Tomás Higgins put his body on the line as he and his fellow defenders had done all day.
The despairing pleas of the announcer asking supporters to stay off the pitch fell on deaf hears as a 47 year old tide of emotion carried a wave of supporters down from the town side terrace. Tears were shed as players past and present, friends and family hugged each other in sheer delight.
After what seemed an unbearable wait, Eanna Noone emerged to receive his Man of the Match and at last captain Richard Devaney stepped forward to receive the Mick Sylver Cup. See presentation
Small groups of players and supporters lingered long on the pitch soaking up the atmosphere, savouring the moment and in truth trying to capture the reality of a long dreamt ambition fulfilled. But eventuallu the desire to get on the road and bring the Cup back to Moycullen and away they went.