Having reached the semi-final of Division 2 of the Dublin Hurling Feile, the Round Towers team were invited to take part in the Regional Feile fixed for Banagher, Co. Offaly on Sat 20th June. There were to be eight teams divided into two groups with only the group winners advancing to the Final. View pictures from the Féile here.
However with two teams withdrawing Towers were placed in a group with Tommy Larkins (Co. Galway) and Shelmaliers (Co. Wexford).
Towers played Tommy Larkins in their first group game and led by 0 – 5 to 0 – 2 at half time. Towers continued to lead 0 – 6 to 0 – 5 when Larkins scored a match winning goal almost on full time. All games were 15 minutes a half and Towers had little or no time left to recover from the late goal.
Towers second game against Shelmaliers also proved a tight game. Towers again conceded a late goal to leave the final score Towers 1 – 6 to Shelmaliers 2 – 3.
As results would prove this was the most difficult of the two groups. This was evident from the fact that Tommy Larkins went on to beat host club St. Rynaghs in the final by the score line 5 – 8 to 0 – 3.
While the final was being played Towers played Na Fianna (Co. Laois) in a challenge game on the adjoining pitch. This time Towers were to benefit from a late goal with the final score Towers 3 – 3 to Na Fiannas 3 – 0.
Great credit to the players and mentors who performed so well and represented Towers and Dublin with distinction. They displayed great skill, commitment and discipline in all the games. Special mention to the U 13 players who were drafted in as some of the U 14 panel were injured or on holidays. Towers supporters travelled in great numbers and there were more watching the challenge game than was watching the Final.
Panel: Oisin Douglas, Louis O’Loughlin, Ciaran O’Roarke, Alex Judge, Leon Murphy, Jack Quinlan, Tomas Cannon, Kevin Curran, Alaxander O’Neill, Cian Proctor, Joe Murray, Sean Hampson, Adam Hanlon, Dara Byrne, Matthew Kelly, Max McCulloch, Aaron O’Brien, Aaron Whelan, Matthew O’Mara, Senan Walsh, Stephen Barry, Shane Morrow, Adam Byrne.
Mentors: Eric Byrne, Paul Whelan, Mick Jordan
ERIC BYRNE, TEAM MENTOR WRITES:
Distinction, not a word to be thrown around lightly. Round towers were representing their county yesterday in all Ireland Féile and they came away from the field with I can only say, distinction.
I have never felt as proud of a bunch of young men and a club as I did yesterday. The hurling in the first match against Tommy larkins of Galway was in my eyes was the final as they went on to win the tournament and well done to them. Very close encounter and was only decided in the last minute with a goal. The next match against shelmaliers of wexford was amazing considering the final was already sorted, wouldn’t think it though with the smacks the lads from both sides were giving each other, the match ended in stalemate and a well contested draw. The next buckos on the list Na Fianna of Laois and after an enthralling match towers just edged them out for a win. So in a nut shell, 1win,1draw, 1loss. The final escaped us by a mere two points. The mentors from all the country teams were delighted with the caliber of hurling from our young Dublin guns, so much so that future encounters with these teams is a giving with numbers exchanged, can’t wait a mention to saint rynaghs who hosted the tournament and fed every team with a chicken curry , they were excellent host. Pride is the next word I would use, our lads did our county and club proud and our lads boosted by five of towers u13’s who held their own on the pitch and didn’t look out of place on the pitch, is a testament to Mick and his management team. The ma’s made a small mountain of sambos, enough to feed us and two senior teams in clubhouse afterwards deadly. Great support giving by towers down there, with special visit from our juvenile chairman and Secretary Liam O Loughlin and Mr Mac overall great day’s hurling and Jimmy kept our army watered and some funky sounds from DJ Sally kept us dancing till home time with a great sense of wonderment of our trip to Offaly . Mooneys men of the tournament goes to our captains, who held our team in order, and courteous to our opposition every time, really showed good discipline throughout the day, Tractor O Roarke and Jack Quinlan.
Towers abú
