A thriller at Balheary on Saturday afternoon required extra time to decide between both teams and it is the Towers boys who have a championship final to look forward to!
It was a heroic display by the Towers lads who overcame significant adversity to book their place in the Under 16 C Championship Football Final.
Towers started the game the brighter but went four points down and against a strong Fingallians side lead margin was stretched to 13. They whittled the deficit back to six points but then trailed by 11 approaching the final quarter of the game. But they showed fantastic resilience and drew level before edging ahead. However Fingallians kicked the final score of the game to level matters at 5-12 apiece and the game moved into extra time.
“The lads thought at one stage they had the game lost but they showed tremendous resilience to bring themselves back into the game and overturn such a sizeable lead,” Mark Casey, Towers manager said. “At the end of normal time the spirits were high. The lads had brought themselves right back into it and they felt they could push on and win it. We asked if anybody wanted to be subbed and if legs were giving in but all the lads wanted to play on and go and win the game.”
And win they did in emphatic style. A 2-3 v 0-1 winning margin in extra time presented a 7-15 v 5-13 win.
The Seán double act – Casey and Bermigham – did the most damage for Towers. Seán Casey registered 2-4 and Seán Bermingham 3-1. Padraig McNamara folllowed up with an impressive 1-2 tally and Caimin Byrne also netted. Points came from Liam O’Connor, Adam Eustace, Alex O’Neill and Kevin Curran.
A superb penalty save by Tom Cannon kept our lads in the game during a crucial stage.
“Seán Casey was man-of-the-match but it was an outstanding team performance and we were strong throughout,” Mark commented. “It’s important to mention our defenders had excellent displays against a very strong forward line, with Jack Slattery, Alex Doyle, Thomas Greenhalgh and Lee Moran standing out. It’s a squad effort. The lads on the line really push the first 15. Lu Heffernan turned in a great performance when he came on in the second half.
“The word to describe our emotions after the game is euphoria. We’re now coming back down to earth and returning to training Tuesday evening to prepare for the final. The lads will be focused upon giving all to bring a championship back to the club.”
Mark extends thanks to the supporters who traveled to Balheary to support the lads and gives particular thanks to the Under 15 Mentors for their support over the weekend.
The final will be played 21st May with the venue to be confirmed.
Stay tuned to the website for details and Round Tower wishes the lads the best preparations in the two weeks coming.
