Adult Football League 5, St Peregine’s 0-10 v Round Tower 1-16, Sunday 29th July 2018
Our Junior Footballers kicked on in the second half against bottom of the table St Peregine’s to maintain their push for promotion from AFL5, writes Mick McGlynn. The home side proved resilient in the first half but were limited to three points in the second period and Azees Fetigan struck the goal that ultimately broke their resistance.
Towers were the better in the first half but struggled to kick on and a better closing ten minutes left Peregine’s well in the game at the break. The opening score of the game was registered when Dermot Milton played down the line to half-back Adam Behan who cut inside and fed Jason Mockler to strike. Lee Moran probed openings throughout the game and he combined with Milton and Fetigan to tee up Adam Clarke to strike our second. Peregine’s registered their first before Moran kicked a great point from the half forwards. An excellent team move brought our fourth of the day. It started with Mark Gahan and Seán ÓDonnagain in the full back line and Behan, Milton and Moran swapped passes before Cathal Carty in the inside forwards turned sharply to point. There were three between the sides when Mockler kicked a free but two points left Peregine’s trailing by one. Paul Clifford and Mark Taylor then patiently combined on the 40 before releasing Carty and the foul on him was punished by Mockler. The home side were gradually establishing themselves within the game and Towers keeper Dean Alford denied a goal opportunity when he smothered a strike from close range. They followed it up with a 45 and a kick from long-range to level the game. But our lads responded. Clarke and Moran combined to create the opening for Carty to strike his second with his left. A brilliant move that began once again with Gahan from full back led to Carty flicking to Clarke but a super save denied him the goal. Milton kicked the subsequent 45 to leave two separating the sides at the break – 0-8 v 0-6.
The margin was narrowed to one within two minutes of the restart but Joey Leech and Davey McCarthy, substitutes introduced at half time, combined with the latter kicking successfully. Again the margin was reduced to the minimum before Azees struck the goal that propelled Towers to victory. Taylor was instrumental in the build up and Clarke pressurised when a high ball arrived into the box. It broke to Azees around the back and he smashed to the net. Carty followed it up with his third, a great kick from the left. Gahan broke an attack and Milton and Taylor combined to set up Carty to again strike. Towers were punished for over-carrying but they were in control. Mockler released Leech up the left and he pointed from a narrow angle. Moran carried from defence into attack and Taylor was supporting and kicked a great score from the 40. Mockler was fouled and picked himself up to point, leaving it 1-14 v 1-10 moving into the closing stages. There was time for two more scores. Taylor controlled well and found Milton in space to tap over. Leech then registered his second with the final kick of the game. Just two games remain, with Towers to take on St Brendan’s on Sunday 11th August in the Community Centre.
Round Tower: Dean Alford, David Clarke, Mark Gahan, Seán O’Donnagain, Azees Fetigan, Paul Clifford, Adam Behan, Fergus Callaly, Dermot Milton, Jason Mockler, Mark Taylor, Lee Moran, Eoghan Halpin, Cathal Carty, Adam Clarke. Used subs: Joey Leech, Davey McCarthy, Dave Chapman, Andy Eustace, Adam Rigney
