Round Tower 1-9
Skerries Harps 1-6
Gazette pictures from the match can be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenfindlater/8197122469/in/set-72157632045389642/
Round Tower Senior Footballers are just one game away from a return to competing in Dublin football’s top tier after showing excellent character and resilience to defeat Skerries Harps in this AFL 2 play-off semi-final.
Having went into half-time with a commanding seven point lead, Towers subsequently found themselves level with 13 minutes remaining and having not scored in the second-half. But Towers displayed the excellent character that has grown within the side as the long season has progressed and kicked three late points to allow them overcome a Skerries Harps team that was on the ascendancy.
This was a big game for both sides and both struggled to settle, with wides being an early feature of the game. The home side opened the scoring when Niall Lanigan, making his competitive debut for the senior footballers, found Cathal Carty with an incisive pass in the inside forward line and the Mayo man slipped his man to point from 21 metres. Carty missed an early free and Simon McGuinness, who enjoyed an excellent first-half, also missed a kickable score after a powerful run through the centre. Harps responded with a point and Lanigan then kicked a wide from a tight angle, leaving both sides a point-a-piece after 15 minutes. But Towers then took control of the half, with McGuinness and Liam Connolly winning possession in midfield and being ably supported by a half-back line that gathered breaking ball and won possession. Carty won a Towers free after good work from Lanigan and Derek Murray and Carty pointed to edge Towers ahead. The home side were now getting into their stride and two minutes later McGuinness won possession from a kick-out and fed Barry Keane coming forward from half-back. His fellow wing back James Kelly provided support and kicked an excellent score from 40 metres. Four minutes later the Towers goal arrived. And it was that man Jason Joyce yet again. Tom Lyons and Derek Murray were involved in the move and McGuinness coming through the middle fed Joyce who finished low to the corner of the net. From the next play Joyce pointed again, this time kicking a score from a tight angle 20 metres out. McGuinness took a tough hit before feeding the pacey Barry Keane who set up the supporting Joyce to point. Towers were dominant and Tom Lyons pointed from the resulting play. He could have scored a goal before half-time but his drive at goal went straight at the keeper who saved.
Leading 1-5 v 0-1 at half-time Towers were in a dominant position but would be expecting a Skerries response and it. The introduction of Graham Cullen helped the visitors get a stranglehold around the middle and both they kicked three successive points before Colin Daly’s low drive was saved brilliantly by Dean Alford but deflected to the back of the net off Conor McGrath. Skerries levelled and were in the ascendancy with just 13 minutes remaining. But Towers regrouped and it was captain Carty who provided the inspiration. He fed excellent centre-half-back Ian Ward who pointed from long-range to edge Towers ahead. Harps gained possession when a Towers shot rebounded off the post but Carty intercepted a stray pass and pointed after side-stepping his marker. Carty intercepted again three minutes later and when he passed inside to Joyce, the goalscorer was hauled to the ground. Tom Lyons kicked the free from 40 metres to edge Towers two ahead but former Dublin Minor Harry Dawson brought the side to within two points. Carty had the final say when his long distance free meant Skerries needed a goal to level. Skerries looked to find that goal with a quick 30 metre free but Towers defenders were alert and back in numbers to see off the visitors threat. Towers will now face Raheny in the AFL2 play-off this coming Sunday, again in the Community Centre, at 11am.
Round Tower: Dean Alford, Eoghan Young, Jamie McCarthy, Conor McGrath, James Kelly, Ian Ward, Barry Keane, Simon McGuinness, Liam Connolly, Jason Joyce, Tom Lyons, Derek Murray, Niall Lanigan, Cathal Carty, Stephen Halpin. Subs: Eoin Moran for Kelly; Dave Whelan for Halpin; Ciaran Corrigan for Lanigan.
