Round Tower 0-15 v St Anne’s 3-6
Niall Connaughton pictures can be viewed here.
The old adage goals win matches did not come to fruition in Round Tower’s AHL2 league clash v St Anne’s on Wednesday as both sides played out a very entertaining draw, writes Mick McGlynn. Towers efficient point taking, with Ciaran Corrigan particularly effectively on free taking duty, stifled the visitor’s constant goal scoring threat that saw them net three goals.
St Anne’s, managed by last year’s Inter Footballer manager Ken Lawlor, had the edge at half-time with a 2-3 v 0-7 lead. Towers points were courtesy of the trusted right boot of Corrigan, Cathal Carty and Stephen McGibney.
Corrigan kicked the opener in the second half when good attacking build-up from Micheál Walsh and Eric Finn created space for the corner forward to point. McGibney then fisted the home side level and when the pacey Finn was pulled back Corrigan put Towers a point ahead. Tom Lyons, Daniel Gregg and Seán O’Donnagain pressure led to the visitors kicking wides and Towers good start to second half continued. A short kick-out from keeper Keith Graham found Ian Ward in space and Eoin Moran and Finn supported the move upfield before Corrigan kicked successfully from the left. Excellent interplay by the visitors, whose attacks were pacey and consistently threatening 3 points, led to a pointed 21 metre free. Moran kicked an superb point from distance but despite an excellent close-range save from Graham and block by Lyons the visitors netted when they followed up to finish to the net. Towers were trailing two points with four minutes remaining but showed composure to level the tie. Ward, James Kelly and Finn combined to set up substitute Brian Costello to kick an outstanding long-range point with the outside of the boot. When Ward was fouled after playing a ball into the inside forwards Corrigan again pointed. Towers went for the winner but a promising attack down the right in the final minute broke down and the whistle sounded on an entertaining draw.
The draw leaves Towers on the upper side of mid-table, lying in seventh on seven points with three wins, two losses and Wednesday’s draw. Next up on 11th June an away trip to local rivals Lucan Sarsfields who lie third in the table.
Round Tower: Keith Graham, Seán O’Donnagain, Tom Lyons, Daniel Gregg, Conor L’Estrange, Ian Ward, James Kelly, Eoin Moran, Liam Connolly, Eric Finn, Simon McGuinness, Micheál Walsh, Stephen McGibney, Cathal Carty, Ciaran Corrigan. Used subs: Eoghan Moore, Jason Phillips, Brian Costello.
