Round Tower Senior Hurlers are through to the quarter final of a Dublin Senior Hurling Championship for the first time. It follows an excellent see-saw tie at Monastery Road v Division 2 opponents St Oliver Plunkett’s that had both sets of supporters living on their nerves. A draw was the outcome and both sides will have regrets. The visitors missed what would be considered a straightforward free from 40 metres with the final strike of the game, which would have brought the side a division ahead the full set of points.
But up to final ten minutes Towers had led throughout. However Plunketts pressure in the second half finally told when a powerful run through the middle enabled their number 13 cut in from the left to strike beyond Tower keeper Fergal McDonagh with just over ten minutes remaining. This left it at 1-8 apiece. Galvanised by the goal, Plunketts edged ahead a point clear with ten remaining but Towers showed excellent resilience and determination. They struck two wides before substitute Aaron Wynne pressured a Plunkett defender carrying from defence, leading to penalisation for charging and Eoin Ryan struck the free. Then good groundwork from substitute Cianán Ryan led to another free that his brother struck. This was leading to a pulsating final few minutes. Eoin Moran in the full forward line showcased the character in the home side. Eoin Walsh from half-backs drove into 21. Moran caught high and carried to evade marker before pointing off his left from tight angle. But Plunketts struck two in quick succession to equalise. It looked like Moran could have won it when he struck long-range under pressure from right sideline. But the subsequent puck-out led to a Plunketts free from range that was pointed. We’d move into injury time and Plunketts came again to win the free on the 40 but surprisingly it drifted to left of McDonagh’s post and was waved wide.
The visitors standing in the second tier was evident in that they played most of the game with 14, following a red card within the opening quarter. This helped Towers gain control, leading 1-6 v 0-5 at the break. Paidi Stapleton netted the Towers goal when he was sharpest to capitalise upon a mistake by visiting keeper to bat to the net. Conan O’Broin was strong in the middle and scored an excellent point from range. Eoin Ryan struck two frees and Jack Whelan – with a superb effort on the run – Finn and Stapleton were further points scorers.
The win also means our Seniors are guaranteed senior championship hurling next year and attention now turns to the league, with St Peregine’s away on 24th next up.
Round Tower: Fergal McDonagh, Shane Byrne, Craig Curtis, Niall Byrne, Jack Whelan, Gary Quinlivan, Eoin Walsh, Pádraic Podge McKeever, Conán O’Broin, Brian McLaughlin, Eoin Ryan, Paidi Stapleton, Eoin Moran, Eric Finn, Eoghan Young. Used subs: Brian Gregg, Aaron Wynne, James Clarke, Cianán Ryan.
