On Saturday, 23rd November, our Under 12 hurlers travelled to Castleknock to play in the final of the St Kevin’s Autumn Tournament. The following report has been brought together by team mentor Eric Byrne and Rob Heigh of The Gazette newspaper and will feature in this week’s edition, published Thursday.
Round Towers 5-3
Castleknock 3-10
Round Tower’s Under-12 hurlers, who play in Division 2, came away disappointed but pleased with their display from their meeting against Division 1 representatives Castleknock when they met last weekend in the final of the St Kevin’s autumn tournament on the Crumlin Road.
The team had battled hard in previous rounds and had reached the final after beating St Kevin’s themselves and Ballyboden St Enda’s.
Although the side were missing six players through injury and other commitments, they put in an impressive performance, with a number of the injured players supporting the side from the sidelines.
Both sides demonstrated their burgeoning talents in the first half, which ended with Castleknock two points ahead, 2-3 to 2-1.
The first half goals came courtesy of Oisin Douglas, who scored from a free, and Leon Murphy, who took barely two minutes into his appearance claimed the ball and drove to the net.
With the Under-10s match finishing at half-time in this match, and the Tower’s support increasing as those players, parents and supporters joined the sidelines, the second half once again saw both sides giving their all.
Further goals were forthcoming for Tower’s in the second half led by the influence of Alex O’Neill, whose play through the middle was important in keeping the team in contention, as were his goals, one from a free and two from open play.
When the whistle blew, the points were not in Towers’ favour, and the closest of margins separated the teams.
The whole side gave outstanding performances, including Adam Hanlon in goal whose saves which kept Tower’s in the game right to the final whistle.
The side have been together from age 4, and graduate to Under-14 level next year, having had a successful year at this grade. The side won a Cumann final in Parnell Park against St Colmcille’s as well as performing well in Division 2 under the guidance of mentors Eric Byrne, Paul Whelan and Dennis Callanan.
The team will hope to build on their years of development to challenge in the Feile in two years time.
