Skerries Harps 1-10 Round Tower 1-6
Towers seniors suffered a disappointing loss to the opener of their 2012 league campaign when they were beaten by Skerries Harps. A strong final quarter from the North Dublin side saw them edge out Towers and take the points.
An early score from Skerries Harps was cancelled out on six minutes by Cathal Carthy but Harps were quick to restore their lead. Ten minutes in and Derek Murray was unlucky not to score following another marauding run forward by Barry Keane but the chance went just beyond the keepers post.
A minute later Towers got the opening goal when Manus Smith rounded the Skerries keeper to finish to the net. Skerries Harps responded with two points before Derek Murray pointed from 30-yards following a well worked move. Another Skerries Harps point before half time left the visitors leading 1-3 to 0-4 at the break.
Seven minutes into the second half Skerries Harp pointed once again but Towers midfielder Simon McGuinness came forward to kick at point and leave the visitors leading by two points. Corner forward Conor L’Estrange then struck a point off his left foot following a good lay-off from Ian Ward and a Cathal Carthy free left Towers four ahead heading into the final quarter. But Skerries Harps became dominant around the middle and the Towers backline came under intense pressure and four unanswered points left them level. With minutes remaining, Skerries Harp won a dubious free in front a goal and it was pointed to see the home side edge ahead. They finished the game off in the final minute when Dublin captain Byran Cullen was put through on goal and finished to the corner to leave Towers looking to their match against Kilmacud Crokes next week for their first points.
Towers: Keith Graham, Conor McGrath, Tom Lyons, Barry Keane, Niall Byrne, Stephen Halpin, Brian Costello, Simon McGuinness, Derek Murray, Conor L’Estrane, Ian Ward, Liam Connolly, Paul Clifford, Cathal Carthy, Manus Smith. Subs: Jason Joyce for Liam Connolly; Dean O’Rourke for Manus Smith; Paddy Stynes for Stephen Halpin.
Photos courtesy of Ted Keane can be viewed on the club Flickr page here – http://www.flickr.com/photos/roundtowers/sets/72157629461550179/
