Christy Moylan - Playing Career - Inter-county

Inter-county

Moylan first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with Waterford in the1930s. He made his senior debut with the team in 1935, however, Waterford were regarded as the ‘sick men’ of Munster hurling because the team had never won a provincial title.

All this changed in 1938 when Moylan lined out in his first Munster final. Surprisingly, the game saw Clare providing the opposition. In a close game Waterford emerged as the victors on a score line of 3-5 to 2-5. Not only was it Moylan’s first Munster medal but it was also the first time that Waterford had won the provincial title. Waterford later accounted for Galway allowing Moylan’s side to advance to their first-ever All-Ireland final. Dublin provided the opposition on that occasion and the game turned out to be a good one. Declan Goode scored a goal for the Decies after just six minutes, however, Dublin fought back with goals of their own. Eventually, victory went to ‘the Dubs’ on a score line of 2-5 to 1-6.

Waterford went into decline following this defeat. A two-point loss to Cork in the Munster final of 1943 was the only high point for Moylan.

In 1948, then years after their first provincial title, Waterford were back in the Munster final. Cork, the outstanding team of the decade, provided the opposition on that occasion and another exciting game followed. Waterford emerged victorious on a score line of 4-7 to 3-9 giving Moylan his second Munster medal. Galway fell again in the penultimate game of the championship, allowing Waterford to advance to the All-Ireland final. Just like ten years previous Dublin provided the opposition. Once again Waterford got off to a good start and led by nine points at half-time. Four goals followed in the second-half courtesy of John Keane, Willie Galvin, Eddie Daly and Moylan. Waterford won on a score line of 6-7 to 4-2 giving Moylan his first All-Ireland medal.

Moylan continued playing in 1949, however, Waterford surrendered their provincial and All-Ireland crowns at the first hurdle. Moylan retired from inter-county hurling following this defeat.