Round Tower 2-8 St Patricks Palmerstown 2-6
It mightn’t have been pretty but points on the board are all that count at this stage of the season was the underlying message after this two point win which kept Towers firmly in the hunt for 2nd place and a home draw for the promotion playoffs for Division 1.
Pats started with a real purpose and tore into Towers from the off going two points ahead before Towers responded in kind. Pats then scored a scrappy goal and seemed content to sit back somewhat and play was continually stopped for a steady stream of injuries including what looked like a torn hamstring for Conan O’Broin. Pats then felt they were hard done by with a possible penalty shout and missed a couple of chances, going into the break two points up, 1-3 to 0-4.
Having started without the injured Stephen Halpin who has been highly consistent all year playing as a third midfielder, Simon McGuiness stepped into that role with ease and played a key role as Towers clawed back the deficit and went ahead through a Barry Keane goal and points from captain Cathal Carty. Towers seemed well on on top at this point when the referee who seemed behind the pace of the game throughout inexplicably awarded a penalty for a footblock on Towers fullback Jamie McCarthy when he was clearly struck in the groin by the ball.
Towers responded with a Jason Joyce goal, his sixth in seven games to again take the lead before Pats scored two points in a row with Dublin Hurler Liam Rushe impressive and causing problems, to leave the minimum between the sides. Towers kicked a series of wides from play and from placedballs before Towers scored the last point to leave them two ahead. Liam Rushe won a ball out on the right wing and used his strength well to cut through from a tight angle before blazing wide ahead of the final whistle.
Towers now face Naomh Barrog at home next Saturday evening at 6pm in their final league game ahead of the playoffs.
Round Towers: Dean Alford, Conan O’Broin, Jamie McCarthy, Eoghan Young, Barry Keane, Paddy Stynes, Ian Ward, Derek Murray, Liam Connolly, Tom Lyons, James Kelly, Jason Joyce, Cathal Carty, Simon McGuinness, Marc Taylor. Subs: Conor McGrath, Barry Gallagher, Manus Smith.
