Round Tower Feile team took part in the 2016 Division 5 Feile competition in Collinstown (hosted by Na Fianna GAA Club). Towers had 3 group matches and our first match was against a very strong Erin Go Bragh team. I think the nerves showed and we were slightly overawed by a team who eventually went on to win the group. It was the first time that some of our players had played together as a team and some of our positional play seemed to a bit offkilter. I think it is fair to say that we were all a bit disappointed after the first game. However this group of 24 girls are made of strong stuff and our next match against Kilmacud Crokes showed just how well we can play. Roared on by the big Towers faithful our girls scored a goal virtually in the first minute of the game and this set us up for a great match. Although Crokes equalised just before half-time, Towers powered ahead in the second half to keep them scoreless for this period. Each girl who played worked their socks off and defended relentless pressure, but then our forwards seemed to win possession when it really mattered to take the pressure off our hardworking defence. The noise that greeted the final whistle surely drowned the noise from the passing aircraft. Dare to dream! Could Towers make the playoff? Alas, it wasn’t to be as a strong start from CBC meant that, try as hard as we could, we just could not break their defence and alas our dream ended for this year. It was great to see our U14 girls, Kirsten (captain), Chloe and Lauren give our team such a lift and remember the other 23 girls, who make up our panel are all eligible for next year. Today was a learning curve and these girls came on leaps and bounds. Although there were some tears allround, it only demonstrates the dedication and togetherness these girls have. It must be said that the support today that we received from parents, grandparents, family members and all of the club, including the ladies football section, certainly demonstrate that Towers are one of the best supported clubs in Dublin. Our support today must have outnumbered the opposition by at least 3-1 and the mentors and players from the 2016 Feile team are grateful to all our support. Well done girls and we will keep going for the league and championship and roll on Feile 2017.
