Champions show no mercy in crushing challenge of Connemara rivals

Moycullen 4-18

An Cheathrú Rua 0-9

Gerard Mulreaney in Ros Muc

REIGNING county champions Moycullen were already through to the quarter finals ahead of this senior championship game, but they showed no mercy as they hammered a disappointing An Cheathrú Rua side, who in fairness to them were missing numerous players through injury.

The large crowd, many of whom had stayed on following the Intermediate clash between Micheál Breathnach and Leitir Móir, were treated to some entertaining football from the title holders. Moycullen may have made hard work of beating both Claregalway and Annaghdown in their previous group games, but they had no such worries on Saturday against An Cheathrú Rua.

The heaven’s opened just before kick-off as hailstones lashed the Rosmuc pitch, however it didn’t affect the quality of football displayed by Don Connellan’s team as they started the game in bright fashion.

Full forwards Dessie Conneely and Niall Walsh were exceptional on the day, scoring four goals and 11 points between them as An Cheathrú Rua had no answer to the relentless waves of attack from Moycullen.

They opened up a 1-5 to no score lead after 13 minutes, with a goal and four points from Conneely, along with a left-footed free kick from Walsh. That goal on five minutes coming from an interchange of passes between Sean Kelly and Niall Walsh down the right-hand side. Walsh then played the ball across the face of goal for Conneely to tap it home.

An Cheathrú Rua had a couple of goal chances of their own not long after that goal. First Micheal O Tuathail smashed his effort from the right-hand side off the crossbar before Éanna McCormac’s attempted 45’ dropped short, deceiving goalkeeper Seamus Friel but Stiofán OmBriain’s palmed effort also hit the crossbar.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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