Joanne Moore was the hat-trick hero as Round Tower Senior Camógs got their Senior 6 Championship campaign off to a winning start against neighbours Lucan Sarsfields at the Community Centre Sunday morning, writes Mick McGlynn They were the better team throughout and the winning margin would have been wider but for a late Lucan flourish.
Ciara Ryan netted the first goal in the opening quarter when she was first to react to a break around the visitors box. Lucan responded, forcing Towers keeper Zoey Barnwell into tipping a drive beyond the post but netted with a low strike on the quarter hour mark. The midfield partnership of Niamh Murphy and Caroline Fallon were excellent throughout, with Murphy’s carrying causing problems for retreating Lucan rearguard. A half-clearance on the ten minute mark was picked by Murphy to point from the left. Towers were the better side and struck two wides before a lengthy clearance by Trish Egan broke to Val Kelly whose strike from distance was tipped over by the Lucan keeper. Ciara Dunleavy was excellent in protecting the home sides full-back line and the forward momentum led to scores for Towers. Melissa Donnelly provided the assist for Caroline Fallon to strike her first score and Moore’s first goal arrived 20 minutes in. It came from good run by Christina Fallon into full forward line and Moore struck low beyond goalkeepers reach. Murphy picked another from the puck-out and her midfield partner Caroline Fallon then carried up the right to hit another excellent score from 40 metres. She registered again when Kelly pressure created the opportunity for her to point from long-range. Towers half-time advantage was 2-6 v 1-3.
Towers advantage stretched early into the second period with Trish Egan finding a score from long-range before Lucan narrowed the deficit with two consecutive points to narrow deficit to five – 2-7 v 1-5. Towers could not afford complacency and Jade Hyland broke forward to win a free that Caroline Fallon converted. Moore’s second goal followed. Ryan carried and surrounded by two markers she popped a pass to Kennedy. She released Hyland who nudged it to Moore and she finished with a low strike across the keeper. Her hat-trick arrived moments later. Kennedy switched play to Melissa Donnelly in space who had time to deliver into the inside forwards. Moore won possession and struck on the turn. Murphy followed up with a point from the 40 before a late Lucan rally saw them narrow the defcit to three points but Towers secured the hard-earned win to get the off the Championship mark.
Round Tower: Zoey Barnwell, Ciara Dunleavy, Grace Keane, Jade Hyland, Maryann Talty, Melissa Donnelly, Christina Fallon, Niamh Murphy, Trish Egan, Val Kelly, Caroline Fallon, Joanne Moore, Emer Fallon, Ciara Ryan
