Round Tower Junior Footballers were resounding victors Sunday morning as they crushed Na Fianna 3-18 v 0-5 in the Community Centre, writes Mick McGlynn. The visitors could not match the quick movement of Towers and relentless pressing and were somewhat flattered by the 1-7 v 0-2 half-time score as Towers almost netted a number of other occasions.
Full-forward James Fleming, whose continual showing for the ball caused problems for Na Fianna throughout, scored the opening goal with an audicous lob that punished a poor kick-out by the visiting keeper. Captain Ciarán Dunne, half-forward Mark Healy and Fleming again were point scorers in the opening quarter to open out a 1-5 v 0-2 lead. The excellent interplay on display by the home side was evident when Healy picked in the half forwards and found Ger Hickey on an overlap with a diagonal ball. Dunne made space to receive the pass and slipped aside to the supporting Fleming who drove low over the bar.
Denied a goal by the visiting goalkeeper through a foot-save just a few moments beforehand, Mick Kelly again came forward and on this occasion was not denied a score when he raised the arm of the umpire. It was another move with quick momentum and started with Alan Milton in the half-back line and Damien Murray linked play with the trio of Hickey, Dunne and Fleming combining again to release Kelly.
The relentlessness of the first 30 minutes continued straight from throw-in second half. Healy won the break from throw-in and Hickey then carried before slipping to Dunne to point. Hickey then pointed from the right and substitute corner-back David Costigan came upfield to kick a score that arose from fellow corner-back Rory Dunne winning possession in full-back line. Jason Mockler was introduced and his pace caused problems for the retreating visitors defence. He set up Healy to again point and Ciarán Dunne kicked a score from long range. Rory Dunne came forward on the charge and kicked an outstanding score with the outside of the left boot, returning from the glory with the modesty becoming of this Towers stalwart to his defensive duties. Mockler pointed two in quick succession and Rory Dunne then released the returning Mick Hallows to advance on goal and he struck beyond the keeper low to the corner. Another goal followed when Murray found Mockler in space and another low drive finished back of the net. It was substitute Brian Reilly-Troy who rounded off the scoring and an excellent day for the Junior Footballers.
After eight games the Junior Footballers remain unbeaten in AFL8, winning five and drawing three. Key league and championship fixtures are upcoming that look set to define the season for the lads.
Round Tower: Darren Core, Rory Dunne, Neil Gill, Simon Breslin, Aidan Egan, Simon Owens, Alan Milton, Damien Murray, Mick Kelly, Mark Healy, Ger Hickey, Ray Davis, Anthony Davis, James Fleming, Ciarán Dunne. Used Subs: David Costigan, Mick Hallows, Jason Mockler, Chris Johnston, Brian Reilly-Troy
