Round Tower Senior Hurlers are into the last four of the Dublin Senior B Hurling Championship, writes Mick McGlynn. In what was a first for the club, the Senior Hurlers reached the last eight of a Senior Hurling Championship and Naomh Barróg stood in their way at quarter final stage. An excellent crowd turned out at Monastery Road Saturday evening to support Towers and our hurlers did not disappoint.
It was nip-and tuck in the opening ten minutes, with two Páidi Stapleton frees accounting for Towers tally as the sides were level at 0-2 v 0-2. But Towers gained a foothold. Eoin Moran struck our first from play from an acute angle on left wing and excellent pressure from Conán O’Broin in half-back line led to overcarrying and Stapleton punished the visitors from the dead ball situation. The first significant breakthrough arrived on 18 minutes. Gary Quinlivan won possession on Towers 40 and a tug back led to long-range free. The Barróg keeper batted the dropping free out but Moran seized upon it and struck to net from close range. Two minutes later the green flag was being raised again for the home side. Pádraic ‘Podge’ McKeever moved ball into inside forwards and Brian McLaughlin cut inside at pace. He release outside to the supporting Eric Finn and he struck firmly beyond keeper. A long-range free from Stapleton further emphasized Towers superiority. Barróg created a break on goal but Craig Curtis at full-back blocked the strike at goal and cleared. Eoin Walsh was fouled around the middle and again Stapleton punished. Towers finished an excellent half with Jack Whelan providing the flourish. A clearance to the right wing was picked on the run and struck between the posts. Towers went in with a commanding 2-7 v 0-3 advantage.
There was a flicker of a comeback a minute into the second period when a Barróg penalty brought their first goal. It arose following a slip in full-back line that enabled forward break free before being pulled to ground. Keeper Fergal McDonagh could do little with penalty dispatched low to left corner. Stapleton responded two minutes later with another free and the game was effectively finished as a contest six minutes into the half. Finn took off from the 50 and carried towards goal. His strike at goal was followed into net by Brian McLaughlin. Towers defence came under pressure but they won high balls under pressure consecutively and Quinlivan was deployed as sweeper in full back line to deter goal threat. Stapleton registered four more points from placed balls to bring his tally to 10 points and enable Towers see out the win comfortably, 3-12 v 1-8.
Round Tower: Fergal McDonagh, Niall Byrne, Craig Curtis, Shane Byrne, Conán O’Broin, Eoin Walsh, Gary Quinlivan, Pádraic ‘Podge’ McKeever, Eoghan Young, Jack Whelan, Paidi Stapleton, Eric Finn, Brian Gregg, Eoin Moran, Brian McLaughlin. Used subs: Eoin Ryan, Adam Doyle
Our Under 8 hurlers participated in an exhibition game at half-time during the Championship encounter. It was tremendously received and the kids loved it. Thanks to the Mentors and parents for facilitating and adding to the occasion.
