Pictures of our footballers Dublin Division 4 Féile success are now available to view by visiting our Flickr site here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roundtowers/sets/72157629670020794/. Thanks to Tommy Keogh for capturing the action and the glory. Match report from team mentor Alan McLoughlin follows.
Féile Peil Division 4 Final
Parnell Park 6th May 2012
Round Tower Clondalkin 2-04
Naomh Fionnbarra 1-04
Round Tower Under 14 footballers arrived in Parnell Park relaxed if not a little nervous after a narrow two-point win over Parnells in the semi final. They faced Naomh Fionnbarra who had narrowly beaten them in the group stages. After some nice fielding from Matthew McLoughlin and Ryan Kinsella, McLoughlin played a ball to Eoghan Halpin who in turn passed to Graham Proctor who had his shot blocked down. Next move saw a pass from Proctor into the box and a great catch by Eoin Brady saw him turn and have his shot blocked as well. Fionnbara’s first 2 chances well defended but from a kick out by Tower’s goalkeeper Patrick Daly, Fionnbarr’s midfielders broke down the left hand side and scored the 1st point of the match. Towers went on the attack again and shots by Halpin, Proctor and Sean Tunney were just wide. Towers management then brought on the injured Shane Scappaticci for the hard working Thomas McCabe, it was a move that was to prove inspirational. Fionnbarr’s were now winning all the breaking ball in midfield and were rewarded with some fine play by a goal. It was all Fionnbarr’s as Towers tried to break forward and another attack produced a goal for Fionnbarr’s that was ruled out for a Square Ball. Had Towers luck finally changed?
Half time score R.T.C. 0-00 Naomh Fionnbarra 1-01.
The second half started as it ended with Fionnbarr’s getting the next 2 scores. Would Towers score in this final? From the resulting kick out Kinsella plucked a ball from the skies and drove it to Shane Scappaticci who beat his marker and played a ball to Tunney who rifled it into the back of the net. Game on! The huge Tower’s support started to roar their team on. Towers management then made a tactical change that had worked to so well in the semi finals, they moved Brady into midfield and put McLoughlin at half forward. It had an immediate effect, with Mcloughlin taking a fine pass from Connor Farrell, who beat his marker to strike a lovely point over the bar. There were now two points in it. Fionnbarr’s then had the next attack and scored as a result of some fine play. From the resulting kick out Kinsella drove a ball forward to Halpin who found Tunney who rifled a shot off the crossbar, but from the resulting goal mouth scramble Scappaticci fired to the back of the net.
The Towers back line of Luke Peden, Mikey Bergin and Eoghan Fitzgerald were now starting to win all the breaking ball the half backs started to drive forward with Cormac Peden in particular winning and giving fine ball to the forwards. Scappaticci drove forward and scored another point. The momentum was now with Towers. Eoin Brady won the resulting kick out and played a lovely ball to Scappaticci who was fouled going forward and put the resulting free over the bar. Towers were now two points up. Towers management made another substitution taking off the hard working Daniel Kelly and replacing him with Eoin Murphy who broke forward down the left played a ball to McLoughlin and he scored the final point of the game. Fionnbarrs tried to get that all important score in the last minute but a superb interception by Bergin saw him solo up the field away from danger and play a pass to Scappaticci who was fouled and put the resulting free wide. As the Fionnbarrs keeper kicked the ball out the referee blew for full time and the never give up attitude of this wonderful group of players was finally rewarded. Towers had risen from the ashes and got their just rewards.
As captain Darren Gilligan, who was unfortunately injured in the very first game of the competition and did not get to play in the final, went up to collect the Trophy, the stands erupted with joy and a great day for this group of players will never be forgotten. The players and mentors of the Under 14 Football team would like to thank the three Under 13 players who played for us and done a very good job when required. We would also like to thank all those who came out to support us and they really were the extra man.
Team: Patrick Daly, Mikey Bergin, Luke Peden, Eoghan Fitzgerald, Daniel Kelly, Neil Murphy, Cormac Peden, Ryan Kinsella, Matthew McLoughlin, Eoin Halpin Connor Farrell, Sean Tunney, Thomas McCabe, Eoin Brady, Graham Proctor.
Subs: Shane Scappaticci for Thomas McCabe, Eoin Murphy for Daniel Kelly, Darren Gilligan©,Daragh Duffy, Luke Errity, Eamon Walsh, Dylan McCluskey, Jarlath Brennan, Adam Behan
