Craobh Chiarain 1-9
Round Tower 2-10
Pictures can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roundtowers/sets/72157630609687830/
Our Junior A footballers came away with vital two points in this top of the table league clash away to Craobh Chiarain. The result leaves Towers a point behind Chiarain, who continue to top the table, but Towers have a game in hand.
Towers needed to make the most of a strong breeze that was behind them in the first-half and went in with a commanding 1-7 v 0-2 lead at the break. The goal came 12 minutes into the game when Tom Curran moved in under a high ball and palmed it beyond the Craobh Chiarain keeper. Excellent long-range points from Justin McGrane and Paudie Swinburne were highlights of the first-half and Curran almost netted again when an excellent ball from Denis Macken found him in space but his shot blazed just over the bar. Macken himself pointed before half-time and Towers needed the cushion playing against the strong wind for the second 30 minutes.
The home-side started the second half with two quick scores and it was important Towers registered a score and they did that with a Justin McGrane free. Towers task was helped when Craobh Chiarain were reduced to 14 men and Curran gave the visitors a comfortable cushion when a Macken shot fell into his path and without picking it up he slotted it beyond the advancing keeper. This left Towers 2-9 v 0-6 ahead and well in control but a defensive lapse two minutes later was punished with a Chiarain goal that gave them hope of a comeback with over ten minutes still to play. Alan Milton’s break upfield from half-back reaped rewards for the visitors when Denis Macken profited to point and two minutes later Alan’s brother Dermot pointed from a free.
There was needle throughout the match and a brawl towards the end got players and fans irate but the game was effectively over and two late Chiarain points proved to be consolation scores.
