AHL 7, April 15th, Community Centre
Round Tower 3-8 Kilmacud Crokes 2-14
Pictures can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roundtowers/sets/72157629459492920/
A spirited display from our Junior Hurlers was not enough to see them overcome Kilmacud Crokes in this AHL 7 league clash. A second half comeback saw Towers come right back into the game but unfortunately their effort fell short and Towers had left themselves with too much to do at half-time.
Towers shot three early wides before Kilmacud grabbed the first goal of the game and raced into a 1-4 to 0 lead. It was Eric Finn who opened the scoring for Towers when he gathered a sideline cut, ran at the Kilmacud defence and fired over from 21 metres. Alex Darbey then ran at the visitors defence and finished off the move by pointing from 30 metres. Kilmacud responded with a goal and two points before Eric Finn latched onto a breaking ball into the visitor’s backline and pointed from a tight angle on the left. He scored again before half-time but the hosts were left with a 2-8 to 0-4 scoreline to try overcome.
The home side were out early for the second half and started with real purpose. Straight from throw-in, Eoghan Hutchinson shot narrowly wide after being set up by Donncha Rafferty but moments later Towers registered the first score of the half when Phil Carroll won a free 25 metres out. Darbey went for goal and his low drive went beyond the Kilmacud full-back and keeper to give the home side some hope at 2-8 to 1-4.
Kilmacud responded with two points but Finn caused more problems for the Kilmacud full-back line once again when he turned the corner back and was fouled when going for goal by the Crokes number 3. Darbey once again went for goal from 21 metres but his shot was saved. From the rebound, Finn had his shot well saved but good work from Hutchinson kept the move alive and his pass set up Darbey who drove the ball through a crowded Kilmacud defence to the top corner of the net. Kilmacud pointed again before Finn registered two points, from a tight angle and 40 metres out, to leave five between the sides. A Kilmacud free gave the visitors breathing space before Towers scrambled a late goal but time ran out for the home side.
Round Tower: Declan Rafferty, Brian Barrett, Fergal Power, John Weafer, Martin Kerrigan, Martin Sheen, Simon Nevin, Dave Quigley, Martin Doyle, Phil Carroll, Ger Kessie, Alex Darbey, Eric Finn, Eoghan Hutchinson, Ray Walsh, Declan Rafferty
