Round Tower 1-13 v St Monica’s 2-14
Our Junior A Football Championship campaign came to a disappointing end in O’Toole Park Sunday morning as AFL3 side St Monica’s rallied late in the day to see of a resolute and spirited Towers side that competes a Division further down the ladder, writes Mick McGlynn.
Former Dublin footballer Vinny Murphy remains a talisman for the North Dublin side and his influence was of critical importance in edging Monica’s towards the four point win.
Towers started with great intensity, winning the ball around midfield and when it was moved to the very pacey Eric Finn in the corner Monica’s could not cope. Towers kicked four unanswered points in the first 13 minutes. Ciaran Corrigan kicked the opener from a free after a minute after Finn attacked from the left and his run towards goal ended when he was hauled down. Monica’s kicked two wides before Anthony Banks won a ball in midfield and again found Finn on the left. He broke inside before kick passing to Justin McGrane who kicked his first point of the game. Damien Murray won possession in midfield and he moved the ball forward to his midfield partner Shane Byrne who broke through the middle at speed before being fouled from 35 metres. McGrane duly slotted the point. Mark Taylor took a quick free to find Niall Corless in space and the half back kicked a fine score off his right. Monica’s first score arrived after 13 minutes and Towers almost responded with a goal when Murray broke forward. His strike for goal was palmed to the left by the Northsiders keeper and our midfielder was quick to get onto the rebound but his strike was blocked for a 45. Towers failed to convert and within minutes Monica’s were level. The first point followed a quick free that was converted by a half forward and two Murphy points demonstrated his considerable threat, the first when he fielded a high ball and turned sharply and the second when he won cross-field ball under pressure and turned to point from a tight angle. They edged ahead on 25 minutes and again it was Murphy winning ball in the inside forwards and converting. A disappointing hallmark of the first-half for Towers was the number of wides they kicked, and they kicked two before Murphy was fouled and the free from 21 was converted. After a great start, Towers had failed to score for nearly 20 minutes but a big score came first half injury time. Ger Hickey won breaking ball and broke forward before releasing Finn to his left. The Towers 15 went clean thru to finish to the roof of the net and leave us a point ahead at half-time, 1-4 v 0-6.
Monica’s were back on level terms two minutes after the restart when their keeper kicked a 45 that resulted from a block down by Seán O’Donnagain and Murphy edged them ahead when, with back to goal, he palmed a high ball over the bar. He kicked his fifth point on 34 minutes, winning a low ball and turning to point smartly. Ciaran Corrigan kicked a free after McGrane, Hickey and Paul Clifford combined to win it. St Monica’s centre half forward kicked a score from distance on the right and Towers brought it back to a point when McGrane kicked right footed from a tight angle. When Towers did enough to prise possession from Murphy a dubious free was conceded and the free edged Monica’s two points ahead. McGrane was superb and kicked six points in the second half. He brought it back to a point and then kicked an immense score from distance that curled over the bar from a left foot strike, with Taylor and Corrigan playing a role in setting it up. McGrane then edged Towers ahead with a 21 metre free and he was the marksman again after Finn broke at pace from the half-forwards to set him up for another score. Another questionable free brought St Monica’s to within a point and a crucial score arrived on 49 minutes when the left half back broke free and Keith Graham saved his low drive but the rebound was slid home. Our lads responded with Simon Owens carrying from defence and Corrigan palming off to McGrane to point again. But Murphy effectively had the final say when a nudge allowed him win a 50/50 ball and finish high beyond Graham to the net. Niall Corless was shown a straight red and Murphy won a free that was converted. McGrane responded with two frees to complete an outstanding display before a Monica’s point in injury time provided them with the insurance score.
Kenny Lawlor’s team can be immensely proud of their run to the semi-final and showed great resolve and spirit in this tight championship that ultimately saw a team a league above them grind out a final berth.
Round Tower: Keith Graham, Seán O’Donnagain, John Egan, Simon Owens, Niall Corless, Anthony Banks, Jason Murphy, Damien Murray, Shane Byrne, Ger Hickey, Mark Taylor, Paul Clifford, Justin McGrane, Ciaran Corrigan, Eric Finn. Used subs: Tom Curran, Aidan Lawlor, Denis Macken
