Moycullen 2-10
Killimordaly 0-13

STEPHEN GLENNON AT KENNY PARK

SOMETIMES, it is hard to find the words to aptly describe a game so rich in quality. This is one of those occasions. Leaving aside the almost fairytale element of this Moycullen victory – their first at this level since 1964 – this county intermediate decider between two fiercely committed teams showcased everything positive about Galway club hurling.

In the end, second half goals from man of the match and midfielder Eanna Noone – who finished with a tally of 1-7, 1-5 from placed balls – and corner forward Conor Bohan secured Fergal Clancy’s outfit a coveted intermediate title and, more importantly, a seat at the top table of Galway hurling in 2012.

On the evidence of this display, they will be a welcome addition to the senior grade.

Both goals came at key moments of the contest. Killimordaly had led 0-9 to 0-6 at the change of ends and after a helter skelter opening to the second period, it looked as if the greater experience of Tom Monaghan’s charges, along with their more expansive style of play, would be enough to see them through.

However, what was so impressive about this Moycullen side was that they stayed true to themselves, in the sense that they played ‘Moycullen’ hurling – they played to their strengths – and did not try to introduce a game plan for the final, as most often teams do, that would undo all the fine work they had done in the earlier stages of the competition.

So, when Bohan seized possession on 40 minutes, he bravely made a powerful surge for goal. Just as he was about to pull the trigger though, a plethora of Killimordaly defenders descended upon him – illegally so – and Moycullen were afforded the opportunity to take the lead for the fourth time in the game.

Up stepped Noone and the remnants of the jet stream from his potent strike danced from the penalty spot all the way beyond Paul Kilkenny to the Killimordaly net. That score nudged Moycullen into a 1-8 to 0-10 lead and while their rivals were to gain parity on two subsequent occasions, from then on, the victors never fell in arrears.

Not that the outcome was clear cut by any manner or means. Points from Galway’s Eanna Ryan (free) and midfielder Paul Madden ensured Killimordaly were right in the mix although, by this time, Moycullen were clearly in the ascendancy.

Underlining this, one of the scores of the game arrived on the 46th minute when centre-half back Mark Lydon initiated a move involving Dan Kelly and Phillip Lydon which set up Noone for what was an outstanding point.

In any event, the sides were tied at 1-9 to 0-12 entering the dying minutes and, for Killimordaly’s part, they looked as if they had finally rode out a difficult period for them in the second half. However, the outstanding Seosamh Ó Fatharta made a superb catch before feeding Lydon down the line. The full-forward, in turn, enticed the Killimordaly rearguard to come to him, leaving an unmarked Bohan inside and when he received Lydon’s pass, he made no mistake in netting the 59th minute winning goal in what was truly a thoroughly enjoyable county decider.

Ryan did respond with a pointed free moments later for Killimordaly, but the Moycullen party had already begun by the time wing-forward Niall Mannion cancelled this out in the first minute of injury-time as Moycullen ran out worthy winners.

Killimordaly, though, must be wondering where it all went wrong. At times, they looked the more stylish side, but what Moycullen could boast of was the overall package. Indeed, the power, physicality and intensity levels they brought to this contest were second to none.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.