U13s Try, Try and Triumph

This was the third occasion Moycullen had faced Sarsfields in this years U13 championship and after being on the wrong side of both results they were determined to lay down they’re marker and what a better way to do but in a Final!

The build up to this decider couldn’t have been better, an outstanding performance against Cappataggle in the semi final last Saturday and enjoying our U16’s capture the County title in style last Monday in Pearse Stadium.To every hurler in Galway there is no better place to play a County final but in Kenny Park, Athenry and as ever the pitch was in immaculate condition. Everything was set for a cracking match and boy did we get one!

In the first half Moycullen played into the town end and Sarsfields opened accounts with a goal within 20 seconds of the throw-in. Sarsfields dominated the Moycullen half for the next 10minutes aided by a stiff wind and put the Moycullen defence under severe pressure. Cillian Clancy was called upon between the posts to make some vital saves and was forced to come off his line with timely interceptions and inspiring clearances. A very busy Sarsfields full forward line kept the Moycullen full back line on their toes and the combination of Glen Pagett, Keith Carter and Shane Kyne soon took complete control and made invaluable tackles and never once panicked always looking up when in possession.

The ever reliable Moycullen half back line of Jamie Cox, Tom (‘the bomb’) O’Connor (Capt) and Robert Previte seemed somewhat uncomfortable for the first 5 minutes as the Sarsfields half forward line continuously tried to break them down but the Moycullen anchor line stood tall and commanded the remainder of the match with great intensity. The ferocity of the first 10minutes called on midfield paring of Alan Carr & Andrew Power to cover almost every blade of grass between the 45m lines. They quickly recovered expended energy and spent the final 10minutes pushing Moycullen into the Sarsfield half. Although Moycullen had seen only flashes of possession in the first 10minutes they laid down their marker working fiercely to win, pass or score when given the opportunity. Shain Sutton, Oran McLaughlin & Fionn McDonagh proved to fast, to strong and to skilful for the Sarsfield defence while inside the Sarsfields full back line had no answer for the attacking trio of Cian Folan, Evan Kenny & Cillian Davoren.

Moycullen pressed hard for every scoring opportunity and fine taken points from Fionn McDonagh and Evan Kenny kept the scoreboard ticking over while Alan Carr struck a difficult free from almost 40m against the wind to keep the team settled. A brilliantly won ball by Shane Kyne in the Moycullen defence was passed out to Jamie Cox who delivered a long clearance into Cillian Davoren, Davoren won the ball and passed inside to Oran McLaughlin and McLaughlin delivered a pin-point pass to a waiting Cian Folan who batted the sliotar to the roof of the Sarsfield net, Kenny Park erupted! The first half ended Moycullen leading 1:05 to 1:03.

With the wind at their backs for the second half Moycullen could not afford to become complacent and they didn’t. Moycullen steamed rolled the second half with some more top class scores coming from Fionn McDonagh, Alan Carr (play & free), Cillian Davoren, Evan Kenny and Cian Folan. In the midst of the tremendous ground and aerial domination of the Moycullen players, Alan Carr planted a goal to the roof of the Sarsfields net from 10 meters after another great passage of play involving Jamie Cox, Oran McLaughlin, Fionn McDonagh and Cian Folan. Niall Fitzgerald was introduced with 12 minutes remaining and had an immediate impact scoring 2 fine points from play. Moycullen were cruising with 10 minutes to go but wouldn’t take their foot of the gas, Clancy and the full back line enjoyed watching their comrades pile on the attack while the half back line stood firm and Tom ‘the bomb’ picked and cleared with style. In the middle Carr was a continuous thorn in Sarsfields, if not a tackle, a pass or a score. McLaughlin performed a master central role with every other forward playing outstanding hurling. It was a great joy to see the master Kenny back playing after a long absence through injury and his presence alone brought huge confidence to the team. While the hour belonged to Moycullen the ‘Man of the Match’ was awarded to Fionn McDonagh who displayed a complete performance.

His work rate, dominance, technique, unselfishness and scoring power was a delight to watch. The Moycullen side emptied their bench (max 5 subs) with the introduction of Luke McDonagh, Cathal Boyce, Owen Hester and Jack Brennan.

When the final whistle blew the Moycullen subs and fans took to the field in celebration of a fine victory with a score line of 2:11 – 1:03. After watching Anraoi Whyte lift the U16 Cup only 3 days earlier Tom ‘the bomb’ O’Connor graciously received the U13 B Shield from Juvenile Hurling Chairman Michael Hehir. After the match former County Hurler, All-Ireland ‘Man of the Match’ and All-Star hurler Padraic Kelly (Sarsfields) congratulated the Moycullen players on an outstanding performance.