Ciarán Dunne was the two goal hero as the newly promoted Round Tower Junior A Footballers claimed a fourth win from seven fixtures with a win over local rivals Thomas Davis, writes Mick McGlynn.
Trailing 0-8 v 0-5 at the break, they clicked into gear early second half to push clear, with the Dunne brace being highlights. The introduction of Niall Corless and Simon Owens at the break played a significant role in changing the game for the home side, with both attacking at pace from the half-backline and winning crucial posession around the Towers 40.
It was tit-for tat in the opening quarter. James Fleming kicked Towers opener after four minutes with a right foot strike on the turn from the 21. The second was an excellent score on the run from half-back Chris Reid. It came arising from a great palm-off in the half forwards by Dunne to the overlapping Reid who showed great composure to capitalise.
Jamie McCarthy, operating at centre-half-forward, released Fleming in full forward line and his lay off to Chris Johnston led to a levelling point – 0-3 v 0-3. Towers edged ahead when Fleming strike was blocked but Denis Macken picked the rebound and kicked sharp score. But Davis gained momentum and kicked five scores on the run to lead 0-8 v 0-4. Towers needed a response and it arrived courtesy of Fleming – this time Johnston was the provider after doing well to wriggle free in the corner.
Davis extended their advantage with early point second half but crucially Towers scored the opening goal. Substitute Owens carried and his strike was palmed to the net by Dunne. He almost netted a second moments later when McCarthy played across the square but it was just beyond the goal scorer. Towers levelled when Macken made inroads and was tugged back; Gerry Homan capitaised from the free.
Arthur Bennett in the half-backs was consistently excellent in breaking Davis attacks and a break from the Towers 40 led to Homan carrying towards goal. He timed pass perfectly to enable Dunne run clear on goal and he buried beyond keeper. Towers now had their swagger. An excellent block by Dermot Milton in Towers defence led to Homan showing great composure to clip the score at the opposite end of the field from the right. Corless and Owens were again influential, combining to set up Macken who added Towers eight point. Fleming clipped another before Milton kicked an excellent score from range. With six minutes remaining Davis netted to close the gap to two points – 2-10 v 1-11, but Milton replied with another from distance. Corless came forward to kick a point with two minutes remaining to crucially leave four between the sides and Milton finished off with free from 45.
Round Tower: Keith Graham, Simon Breslin, Stephen Homan, Rory Dunne, Arthur Bennett, David Costigan, Chris Reid, Dermot Milton, Brian Reilly-Troy, Gerry Homan, Jamie McCarthy, Denis Macken, Chris Johnston, James Fleming, Ciarán Dunne. Used subs: Niall Corless, Simon Owens, Sam Walsh
