UCD 0-9 v Round Tower 1-8
Dublin Senior B Football Championship Semi-Final
Belfield, Friday 17th October . View Peter Parker pictures here.
A County Final awaits our Senior Footballers at Parnell Park on Bank Holiday Monday 27th October, writes Mick McGlynn. It is one of the biggest matches the club has faced into for many years and follows a very tough semi-final win at Belfield on Friday night that saw our lads battle the elements, adversity and a strong UCD side. Tenacity, determination and endeavour saw Towers edge past their student opponents. The will to win was evident in disciplined and continuous tackling and the workrate of Towers throughout the contest.
The conditions provided a real test of character. A heavy downpour was constant and a very strong wind blew crossfield. This made Towers turnaround of a two point deficit at half-time to a two point advantage at final whistle all the more remarkable.
The students were quickest to settle on the all-weather surface. They kicked three unanswered points in the opening eight minutes. But Towers settled and enjoyed a very productive ten minutes. The long kicks to midfield were won by the midfield partnership of Derek Murray and Liam Connolly to provide the platforms for attack. Eric Finn opened our scoring. His running with the ball at pace caused problems for the students throughout and they revoked to fouling him on many occasions. On ten minutes he won possession on the 40 and advanced on goal before driving over our first score. The conditions played a part when Conor L’Estrange missed a kickable free. Two minutes later Eoin Moran won a throw-in and he flicked forward to Ian Ward. He fed onto Finn whose break on goal was halted when he was pulled back and Ciaran Corrigan kicked the free from 30 metres. The first goal opportunity arose when Moran cut in on goal and the UCD keeper palmed over his drive to leave the sides level three points apiece. The discipline in Towers tackling was leading to the students conceding frees for overcarrying but they made their most of their opportunities before half-time. They kicked a free from 40 metres and their corner forward kicked an excellent point on the run. Towers were left frustrated going into the break, kicking three wides, with Mick Hallows driving against the outside of the post.
A two point advantage carried greater significance in the tough conditions and it was an ominous beginning to the second half when the home side kicked the two opening points in the first five minutes. Trailing 0-7 v 0-3 and with scores at a premium it was a real test of the visitor’s character. Their tackling pestered UCD and the persistence of Micheál Walsh brought a crucial break. UCD were in possession in their corner and looked to work it from defence but Walsh pressurised and broke possession and was hauled down with a goal opportunity presenting. James Kelly’s penalty to the top left corner was unstoppable and the deficit was now a point. A minute later the sides were level. Our ever influential and reliable centre-half back Ian Ward won at the middle and carried forward before kicking the equaliser from range. However, they were tasked with playing the final quarter without Eoin Moran who received a second yellow. Towers continued to harass and harry, tackling in numbers, not allowing any UCD player to dwell on possession. The pressure led to a free from the 40 when the ball was touched on the ground and L’Estrange stepped up to edge us a point ahead. Good interchange between UCD forwards brought a leveller. Ward and Murray then advanced upfield with a swift counterattack and the move led to a UCD defender being penalised for overcarrying. The newly introduced Cathal Carty kicked the free but again the home side responded when a midfielder kicked from range. Eight minutes remaining and a man down, composure was required. Substitutes Niall Lanigan and Mark Taylor made required impacts. With five minutes remaining they combined in a move that led to Taylor sweeping an excellent ball across field to find Murray advance on goal. He was tugged back and Carty punished the offence. The numbers were evened when a red saw the home side reduced to 14 but with two minutes remaining Kelly was shown red. Any remaining score would be crucial. UCD needed a leveller, but Towers had the character to edge two clear. A push on Lanigan drew a free from distance that saw the L’Estrange effort palmed wide. From the resulting 45 Lanigan kicked straight over to great roars of approval from the sizeable number of visiting Towers supporters who were braving the elements. Into injury time, UCD advanced up the left and drew a free from 30 metres. They needed a goal and went short but green and white jerseys blocked the path to goal. The final whistle sounded to present Towers with the golden ticket of a County Championship Final.
To the supporters who braved the elements, the reward of a county final made the journey back down the M50 one of immense satisfaction. An excellent accomplishment for the lads and Caimin and his management team. We look forward to our journey to Parnell Park!
Round Tower: Keith Graham, Seán Ó Donnagáin, Mark Gahan, Brian Costello, James Kelly, Ian Ward, Conor L’Estrange, Derek Murray, Liam Connolly, Jason Murphy, Eric Finn, Eoin Moran, Micheál Walsh, Mick Hallows, Ciaran Corrigan. Used subs: Cathal Carty, Niall Lanigan, Mark Taylor
