A second successive win in the early stages of the league season as the point kicking of Stephen McGibney propelled the Senior Footballers to a 1-17 v 1-12 victory over St Pats of Donabate, writes Mick McGlynn. Mick Hallows and Eric Finn were also to the fore in an impressive attacking display. VIEW MATCH PICTURES HERE.
Midway through the second half Towers were comfortably clear and enroute for two points but that scenario was not envisaged during a tough opening half. Tom Lyons kicked our opening two points from frees but the visitors, with full forward Niall Collins who has represented Dublin at senior level in particular, kicked some outstanding scores to race into a 0-5 v 0-2 lead after 19 minutes. McGibney scored the first of his succession of scores on 19 minutes, catching and turning to finish impressively. The deficit could have escalated for Towers but Gary Cleary tipped a goalbound strike onto the crossbar, but the Donabate men did salvage a point from the move. Towers were struggling for momentum but a brilliant three minute spell on 24 minutes brought them right back into it. Mick Hallows kicked a long-range score on the run from the right and McGibney then sold a dummy before striking accurately. Then Hallows again scored from the right to now leave the sides level. Donabate responded with a point from the 40 but Hallows struck another excellent point and it was followed by a James Kelly score from long-range. Micheál Walsh cut in on goal and fisted over to edge Towers two clear. On stroke of half-time Cleary was again forced into a save but the follow-up resulted in a point. Towers held the most slender of leads at the break, 0-9 v 0-8.
Towers almost netted the first straight after the restart. Finn broke from the 40 and he flicked to Walsh who palmed beyond the keeper but onto the crossbar. The follow-up was blocked but when Walsh was fouled in the next play Kelly kicked successfully from the free. Pat’s responded with a point before a Derek Murray interception in half-backs led to Ian Ward and Walsh creating an opening for the inrushing Jay Joyce. His low strike from an angle clattered off the post but McGibney followed up to tap over under pressure. The goal did come. When Murray broke a kick-out Finn put the accelerator on. His strike hit the roof of the net and the margin was now five points, 1-11 v 0-9. A Donabate midfielder broke on goal but saw his strike hit the post before Finn attacked from the right wing before laying off to McGibney to raise the arm of the umpires once again. Murray won possession again from a kick-out and good inter-change between Hallows and Kelly then set up McGibney again to capitalize. The visitors resorted to pulling back Finn and Kelly kicked the subsequent free. This was a seven point advantage midway into second half and Towers were dominating around the middle. Lyons then won possession on Towers 40 and a great pass released Kelly in the half forwards. He played into the corner where Walsh twisted and turned his man before passing to the supporting McGibney to kick an excellent point under pressure. With two minutes remaining Donabate netted from close but it was too late and there was bit more in the Towers tank. Again in the middle Joyce won a break that enabled Hallows slip inside to McGibney to fist over closing in on goal. And it was McGibney again who rounded off Towers scoring with an excellent kick from long-range – again Hallows was instrumental.
Round Tower: Gary Cleary, Barry Keane, Mark Gahan, Shane Byrne, Tom Lyons, Ian Ward, Derek Murray, Liam Connolly, Eoghan Moore, Jason Joyce, Eric Finn, James Kelly, Micheál Walsh, Mick Hallows, Stephen McGibney. Used subs: Jason Murphy, Barry Gallagher, Mark Taylor
The impressive
Two wins now on the board for the senior footballers as an impressive display by Towers forwards
