Moycullen 1-16
Naomh Anna Leitir Mor 1-11

Noel Carney at Pearse Stadium

MOYCULLEN emerged victorious from this Claregalway Hotel senior football championship battle of West Board rivals in the second game of Saturday evening’s double bill at Salthill and their win in front of a fair sized crowd sets up a fascinating quarter-final clash with championship experts Killererin.

Hopes that Moycullen’s thrilling 2007 All-Ireland Intermediate Championship victory would lead to a major break-through at senior level in the county have not yet been fulfilled, but the club has certainly consolidated its place in that grade and they will be worthy opponents for the former champions.

They made steady progress throughout the course of this game, leading by three points at the break, four at the three-quarter stage and were five ahead at the finish in what was eventually a convincing win despite a predictably spirited showing by Leitir Mor, the 2009 county intermediate winners who shocked Caherlistrane last time out.
One of the main features of this game was the great display of former Galway star Paul Clancy. Now coming towards the end of a glittering career, he again showed why he is held in such high regard throughout the county and beyond. As nostalgia increases and the men of the Golden Generation grow fewer in number we should watch and enjoy them while we can because we are unlikely to see their like again.

Lining out at full-forward, Clancy kicked four magnificent points from play, all high soaring efforts and one of them while off balance. He created several other scores too while his flicks and touches were the mark of a master craftsman. It was by no means a one-man show though. Moycullen were strong throughout the field and Naomh Anna matched them toe-to-toe for most of the match.

Paul Clancy’s opening score was sandwiched by early points from the Breathnach brothers – the first from Fiachra was a delightful effort from a difficult angle and Ferdia converted a free – but next score had a big bearing on the game. A Gearoid Clancy delivery reached Raymond Hogan who drove to the net and Moycullen were ahead for the first time.

A brace of frees by the ever reliable Philip Lydon came either side of a second Paul Clancy point and established a 1-4 to 0-2 lead, but Leitir Mor to their credit were battling hard and got the next three scores in succession. Daithi Mac Donnchadha (free), Cormac O Conghaile, who had a fine game, and Eamon O Loinsigh following a wonderful run at the defence by O Conghaile all found the target. It was very much game on.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.