SOME county champions in hurling and football – especially those celebrating maiden triumphs – can struggle to refocus for looming provincial campaigns.

But there was never the slightest prospect of that mood engulfing Moycullen footballers in the wake of their second Galway title success in three years late last month.

With Covid-19 leading to the abandonment of the provincial and All-Ireland club campaigns in 2020, Moycullen never got to find out how they would have fared outside the county’s borders after their landmark local breakthrough that same season.

And this current crop of talented Moycullen players couldn’t be certain that the opportunity would ever present itself given the competitiveness of the Galway title race. When it did, however, they were primed to embrace that challenge.

Having claimed a second Frank Fox Cup in three years when edging out Salthill/Knocknacarra over a fortnight ago, the Moycullen camp wanted more. Sure, they celebrated, but representing Galway was a big deal to them, together with the ambition of going further.

Don Connellan, their low-key but astute manager, knew the significance of their clash with Westport and their first taste of the Connacht championship.

“Two years ago, it was a shame we didn’t get the chance to have a crack at it. We felt we had missed out something and we have really prepared well for this. We treated today as the biggest game the club has ever had. The heads were really screwed on.”

Connellan said that despite “celebrating” their final victory over Salthill/Knocknacarra as it was still a “big deal” in Moycullen to win the Galway championship, they were ready for Westport.

“There’s a drive and willingness in the group to push on and see where we can go.

“We were a bit flattered by the margin in the end, Westport had chances today. It was a good display from us, but we have little time to dwell on it,” added the former Roscommon player.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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