An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen went into Saturday's game with Team Meadowlands - St Brendans, Tralee optimistic of repeating the home victory over the league favourites. However, wins on the road are hard to come by in Division 1 and boosted by the addition of ex-Superleague player, Sean Carroll, free-scoring Meadowlands eased away in the second half to a comfortable 100-75 win.

Moycullen kept the pace of the game high early on and good offensive work from James Loughnane and Cian Nihill had them well in touch at quarter time.

But buoyed by a vocal home following, Carroll began to control the game for Meadowlands in the second quarter, moving the ball well and slashing to the basket for lay-ups.

Moycullen responded through Glenn Hynes and John Cunningham, who was having his best offensive game of the season, to go in just 50-42 behind at half-time.

But Moycullen's hopes faded early in the third quarter as Meadowlands hit full flow. Wayne Quillinan and Sean Carroll pounced for a series of early scores and Vinnie Murphy connected on a pair of threes to stretch the lead to 15 points. When a half-way bomb from Carroll banked in off the board, Tralee's lead was 17, 75-58.

A switch to zone in the fourth quarter made little difference for Moycullen as Meadowlands moved the ball patiently, hitting threes when left open and driving and dishing when Moycullen managed to close out on the shooters.

Moycullen now face a crunch game away to an improving AOL Broadband, Waterford side next weekend knowing that a victory is needed to avoid a big gap developing between them and Team Meadowlands. Coach Mardon will, however, take some positives out of the Tralee game with the team finding an improved offensive rhythm and matching their opponents in the first half. However, the concession of 100 points raises fears over the quality of the An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen defence and much improvement will be needed in Waterford.

An Cearnog Nua, Moycullen: John Cunningham (20), Cian Nihill(19), Glenn Hynes(15), James Loughnane(10), Paul O'Brien(7), Garnett Griffin(5), Eoghan Maxwell(1), Nollaig Cunningham, Dylan Cunningham, David Lee, Tomas Gilson.

St Brendans, Tralee: Sean Carroll(21), Vinnie Murphy(20), Tomas Salponas(16), Wayne Quillinan(16), Mark Mitchell(7), Jason Quirke(6), Daniel Boylan(5), Cathal O'Sullivan(4), Robert O'Sullivan(2), Ger Barry(2), Roscoe Patterson(1), Ricardo Leonard.

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