It’s two from two for Round Tower Inter hurlers as they outclassed Faughs to ease to a 1-22 v 1-7 victory in this AHL4 Saturday evening clash, writes Mick McGlynn. See pics online here.
Towers were the superior side throughout and were 1-3 v 0-1 ahead after eight minutes with Brian McLaughlin flicking a dropping ball to the back of the net. He had netted the first score of the match and an Alex Darbey free and point from the excellent Jack Whelan on the run had extended the home sides advantage. When he found himself on the opposite wing on the left side, McLaughlin again punished the visitors. A high dropping ball deceived Towers stand-in keeper Gary Quinlivan – accommodated in goal because of Dublin Under 21 duties – and provided visitors with some hope. But Eoin Walsh and Eoin Moran in the half-back line combined to set up Whelan to point from the half-forwards and three further Darbey frees ensured Towers remained well in command.
With three minutes remaining before half-time the home side further accelerated. McLauglin won in the corner and flicked a pass to Shane Boland whose burst of pace brought him the space to point from 40. McLaughlin then registered an excellent score when he was quick to bring a Moran pass down the line to hand and turn and point.
The half-time advantage was 1-11 v 1-4 and straight from the restart Moran gained possession in half-backs and Aaron Wynne and Barry Kehoe combined to set up another McLaughlin point. Whelan’s strength and power in half-forwards was proving troublesome for Faughs and was evident when he registered an outstanding score by fielding a puck-out and creating a few yards of space to point. Peter Nyhan won possession in midfield and Kehoe converted the angle pass by turning inside and pointing from his right. Whelan pointed on the run and it was another excellent score when he won possession on the wing and again used his strength to break free and raise the umpire’s hand. When a Boland attempt was half hooked the dropping sliotar was picked up and converted by Kehoe. Moran provided the springboard for many Towers attacks with a commanding performance at centre-back. He received a short puck out and found Darbey who converted from half-way, before adding another with a free. Behind Moran Craig Curtis was assured in full-back.
Dark clouds threatened to send the home supporters home early but the bad weather resisted and they remained to see Towers see out a resounding 1-22 v 1-7 victory and gain another two early season points that were never really in doubt.
Round Tower: Gary Quinlivan, Shane Byrne, Craig Curtis, Shane Cross, Pádraic McKeever, Eoin Moran, Eoin Walsh, Alex Darbey, Peter Nyhan, Shane Boland, Fergal McDonagh, Jack Whelan, Aaron Wynne, Barry Kehoe, Brian McLaughlin. Used subs: Micheál Walsh, Kevin Scott, Luke Currivan.
