Round Tower 0-14 v Parnells 0-9
Round Tower Intermediate Footballers are off to the mark in AFL4 as Stephen McGibney led the way in kicking a series of points to enable our second adult football side overcome Parnells in the Community Centre on Sunday morning, writes Mick McGlynn. See Tommy Keogh’s pictures of the match here.
While McGibney did most of the scoring – with a return of 7 points – it was very much a team effort with Towers pressure throughout succeeding in re-winning possession and restricting the visitors scoring opportunities.
Towers were the quicker starters and minor graduate Shane Boland registered the first wide after a 30 metre run and McGibney then struck a wide with only four minutes on the clock. Parnells made the most of their opening opportunity when their number 13 pointed on the run after five minutes. But McGibney registered the first score from a free after McGibney’s jersey was tugged.
The move was set up following a crossfield pass from another minor graduate Joey Murphy, and his foot passing was a feature throughout. Denis Macken operating in the half forwards then played to McGibney in full forward line and he turned and pointed. Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton – playing in the half-backs –then levelled with a free before Denis Macken edged Towers ahead with a free from the left. On 12 minutes Tom Curran’s persistence won possession near the sideline and McGibney converted the pass. Towers pressure was enabling them dominate and Niall Corless clipped an effort wide before McGibney converted from distance to leave a goal between both sides at the first quarter mark, 0-5 v 0-2. Paul Clifford was the beneficiary when Boland won possession back in the half forwards and the centre half back pointed. Parnells number 13 was their most dangerous forward and he kicked a point from a tight angle but Towers responded with a long-range Macken point. The Minor graduates were proving a major positive for Towers and Fergus Callaly carried from midfield before passing inside to McGibney and he evaded two challenges to kick a point. Parnells looked to go short with the resulting kick-out but Murphy intercepted and kicked a point from 30 metres.
Towers enjoyed a deserved five point advantage at half-time 0-9 v 0-4 but it was narrowed to four within 3 minutes of restart when the visitors left half forward kicked an excellent free from a tight angle. Niall Cassidy was introduced at midfield and he made an instant impact when he carried from the centre before finding McGibney in the corner. Again he evaded his marker before pointing to restore five point lead. Cluxton kicked a superb score from the left touchline and the visitors then narrowed the gap to three. But Macken pointed again after Murphy had evaded his marker with soccer-style flick and Clifford provided the assist. McGibney turned provider when his flicked pass found the onrushing Curran to point from close range. The visitors needed a goal to bring them back into the game and pushed for it, with keeper Dean Alford pulling off two excellent saves from close range and dealing well with a difficult high ball. With four minutes remaining Towers pushed 0-13 v 0-8 clear when Curran found space in the corner and substitute Paddy Lawlor provided the support before teeing up Macken to point. McGibney finished the scoring when he retrieved a pass moving away from goal and sharply turned inside before finishing from a tight angle. Cluxton pointed again and Alford blocked another Parnells effort to ensure no goal was conceded and Towers ran out 0-14 v 0-9 victors and picked up their first two points of the campaign.
Round Tower: Dean Alford, Barry Finn, David Chapman, David Clarke, Shane Boland, Paul Clifford, Michael Cleary, Patrick Stynes, Fergus Callaly, Joey Murphy, Niall Corless, Denis Macken, Tom Curran, Shane Byrne, Stephen McGibney. Used Subs: Niall Cassidy, Alan Milton, Paddy Lawlor, Jason Mockler.
