Top scorer O’Sullivan helps Moycullen to most successful SuperLeague

Moycullen's Patrick Sullivan scores a basket against Bord Gais Neptune in action from Moycullen’s final Nivea For Men's SuperLeague fixture of the season at NUI Galway on Saturday. Photo:-Mike Shaughnessy

Moycullen’s senior basketballers completed the season on Saturday with their most successful SuperLeague campaign.

In only their fourth year playing in Ireland’s elite competition, Moycullen won eight of their 21 games, losing a handful by 10 points or less and causing some upsets to bigger-name sides. Until two weeks ago, Moycullen were still in the hunt to qualify for the play-offs, but their loss to Killester dashed all hopes.

However in Pat Sullivan, Moycullen has one of the outstanding players and the club’s American recruit finished the season as the top scorer in Superleague.

In the end Moycullen were just six points behind fourth-placed DCU Saints, while just 10 points separated Moycullen from UCC Demons and runners-up Bord Gais Neptune, who were last weekend’s visitors to NUIG.

Both sides played out an exciting final fixture of the 2012/13 Nivea For Men's SuperLeague which the visitors won by 88-81.

Neptune completely dominated the first half, giving them an 18-point gap at the break, but Moycullen fought back well but could not close the gap.

Neptune capitalised on their size advantage to dominate the boards and give themselves second-chance opportunities almost every offence. More physical and aggressive than Moycullen in the first half, they deservedly led by 48-30.

However the home side came out a different team in the third quarter, showed intensity at the defensive end, while at the offensive end Moycullen looked to get the ball to Pat Sullivan who once again did an excellent job to bring Moycullen back into the game. Moycullen won the third quarter by nine points and brought it back to an 11-point gap.

Moycullen continued to show their determination on defence in the fourth quarter and capitalised on the fast break to give them a great chance to push on and secure a win. Unfortunately, Neptune’s experience shone through in the last five minutes as they held on to win the game and finish second in the table, behind UL Eagles.

Moycullen: Patrick Sullivan (31), Cian Nihill (15), Paul O’Brien (13), James O’Brien (11), Patrick Lyons (5), Nollaig Cunningham (4), Dylan Costelloe (2), Ian Burke, Rory Gilson, Stephen O’Brien.