Round Tower 0-15 v Lucan Sarsfields 1-10, Community Centre, Junior C Football Championship, 8th July
A Championship semi-final awaits Round Tower Junior A Footballers, writes Mick McGlynn.
In an exciting and tense encounter, they overcome a four point half-time deficit and a strong Lucan Sarsfields side that fielded players of real quality throughout their set up.
The opening quarter was tight championship football. Ger Hickey opened the scoring but Towers suffered an early blow when Mick Hallows was forced off injured a few minutes into the game. Ciaran Dunne kicked to make it a two point-apiece game when he was on the end of a move that started with a Simon Owens interception in half-backs and was set up by Mick Kelly carrying from defence into attack. Towers edged ahead when Fergal Power won a kick out that led to Jason Mockler squeezing over an excellent point from a tight angle on the right. But a significant setback followed when a Lucan forward fisted a high dropping ball to the net. Trailing by three, Owens combined with Alan Milton in the halfbacks and Mockler then moved onto Hickey who advanced on goal and pointed an instant response to the Lucan goal. Deficit was reduced to one when Gerry Homan kicked successfully on the run with his left after a move that started with Aidan Egan intercepting an Lucan attack on Towers 40. But in the second quarter Lucan started to overpower the home side and kicked four without response as they took control leading up to half-time. Now trailing by five, Hickey provided a required response with the last kick of the half to leave it 1-7 v 0-6.
Towers could ill afford a slow start to second half and they started on the front footing when Damien Murray’s precise pass inside to Hickey saw the centre-half forward advance on goal before being harshly stopped by the referees whistle for a Lucan infringement. Ray Davis tapped over the subsequent free. Lucan responded and Davis again pointed from a free after half-forward Mark Healy was fouled when about to kick a point from the 21. Healy was involved in the build up to the move, linking well with Kelly after Milton had won an initial 50/50. On 46 minutes Hickey bore down on goal after an excellent fist pass from Murray and a tug-back led to a second yellow that saw Lucan reduced to 14. For a high intensity encounter it was a significant setback for the visitors. Gerry Homan pointed to leave one between the sides – 0-10 v 1-8. Next play it was level. Mockler handpassed to Hickey from kick-out and the overlapping Homan was available to point from the right. Towers were in the ascendancy and Rory Dunne, Neil Gill and Milton had shackles on the Lucan’s inside forwards. Healy’s high ball to edge of the square was broken by Davis and Power calmly fisted over. Lucan levelled and a pivotal moment arrived with eight minutes remaining when Darren Core pulled off an excellent save when Lucan forward advancing powered a shot towards top right corner. Hickey was again the man to secure a crucial score. Murray was winning crucial ball around the middle and he linked with substitute Anthony Davis – who had a big impact when introduced – and laid off to Hickey to show composure and kick a vital point. Healy finished the game with a real flourish – kicking two great scores. The first arrived from Owens and Milton again linking defence to attack and Davis picked up on the 40. Mockler was available and his pace made inroads before he slipped back to Healy to point. Lucan showed resilience and pointed again. But Healy finished with a brilliant individual effort when he cut in by the sideline and pointed from distance. Another championship day out awaits for a side that remains undefeated also in league, with big fixtures forthcoming.
Round Tower: Darrren Core, Alan Milton, Neil Gill, Rory Dunne, Aidan Egan, Mick Kelly, Simon Owens, Damien Murray, Mick Hallows, Gerry Homan, Ger Hickey, Mark Healy, Ray Davis, Ciaran Dunne, Jason Mockler. Used subs: Fergal Power, Anthony Davis.
