The Evening Herald’s match preview proclaimed a war. It certainly was a very, very tough battle. Round Tower Intermediate footballers have progressed in the Junior A Football championship after seeing off a doggedly determined Man O War side, writes Mick McGlynn. View Match Pictures here.
It was a tight encounter throughout and Towers trailed by two points with 13 minutes remaining but the visitors resolve was broke when Tom Curran cut inside and finished to the top corner. It was the required impetus for a home side that now led 2-5 v 1-6 with the game in its final quarter. They went three ahead a minute later when a quickly taken free by Niall Corless, who was outstanding as a strong defensive lynchpin throughout, found Denis Macken in the inside forwards and he calmly slotted over to leave a goal between the sides. Niall Lanigan’s pace and power caused problems throughout and an off-the-ball tug on his jersey was penalised to allow Macken point again. The visitors struggled to create the openings they’d made in the first half but created a goal opportunity with five minutes remaining but full-back Dave Chapman dived across to make an outstanding block. Fergus Callaly was outstanding in winning scrappy possession in the second-half and he won such ball and passed to substitute Conan O’Broin who worked to half-forward Dermot Milton and his long-range kick from the right sealed a 2-8 v 1-6 win and passage into the next round.
The Man O War number 9 was excellent in the first-half kicking five points – four from frees. A Lanigan goal 12 minutes into the game was important for the home side as the visitors were making the most of their openings and pointing. Lanigan coming from the half forwards with pace went thru on goal and gave the keeper no chance. Four minutes previously Curran had kicked Towers opener from a tight angle after a well-worked moved that started with corner-back Shane Boland winning possession. A high tackle on Lanigan provided Macken with an opportunity to level six minutes before the break and he did so to leave it at 1-2 v 0-5. The visitors talisman midfielder pointed again but Macken combined with Paddy Stynes to lay off for Milton to point long range from the right. Macken edged Towers ahead before the interval with another free after Niall Byrne was tackled high when breaking forward.
Six minutes into the second half Towers trailed by two after a visitors forward latched onto a Dean Alford palm away to finish to the net. Towers opener in the second half came courtesy off an excellent long-range point from Joey Murphy’s left foot and left one between the sides. It was a tough championship encounter and to Towers credit the visitors and their talisman midfielder struggled to create the openings they carved out in the first half to kick scores. Curran’s intervention lifted the home side and their supporters and they didn’t look back. Next up for the Intermediate Footballers in Championship is a trip to St Oliver Plunkett’s on Sunday 18th May with an 11am throw-in.
Round Tower: Dean Alford, Shane Boland, Dave Chapman, David Clarke, Michael Cleary, Niall Corless, Paul Clifford. Paddy Stynes, Fergus Callaly, Niall Lanigan, Tom Curran, Dermot Milton, Joey Murphy, Shane Byrne, Denis Macken. Used subs: Davey McCarthy, Niall Cassidy, Cónán Ó’Broin
