Adult Hurling League 3, Commercials 0-5 v Round Tower 2-11. Sunday 25th February 2018
A winning start for Round Tower Senior Hurlers. The two points from the short trip up the N7 to Commercials were ultimately yielded during a dominant first half performance. Towers showed the intent of a side that is determined to push on from the bitter disappointment of the ending to the 2017 season.
Eric Finn struck the first point of the season after two minutes, following a set-up from Paidi Stapleton. James Clarke then drilled a delivery into the lively Kevin Scott and he was pulled to the ground. Scott picked himself up to slot the free. Towers were dominant and on the five minute mark the goal arrived. Finn broke onto a drive into the 21 by Jack Whelan and struck high to the roof of the net. Within defence Towers were proving resolute. The fullback marshalled by Niall Corless, with Shane Cross and Podge McGeever either side, were on top. Eoin Moran commanded at centre back, with Whelan and Eoin Walsh winning crucial breaks. Finn retrieved a delivery into the full forwards and struck crossfield to Stapleton to strike over. On the 12 minute mark the second goal arrived. Again Finn switched play and Alex Darbey caught and struck past the diving keeper. Leading 2-3 and with Commercials struggling to get any foothold on the game, it looked and proved an unassailable lead in such an early period of the game. Commercials registered their first but Darbey tagged on another from a 65. Gary Quinlivan, whose physicality around the middle the home side struggled to compete with, set up Darbey to point from the 50. Towers were commanding the final ten minutes of the half but failed to add to their commanding lead.
Commercials did play with a strong wind in the second period but offered no threat of a comeback. Whelan broke from the halfbacks and the foul on him enabled Darbey stretch the advantage to 2-6 v 0-1. Commercials registered their second and Stapleton provided the response. Commercials managed to temporarily crowd out Finn when he broke towards goal, but he found the space to turn and point successfully. He then found the onrushing Stapleton in space but was fouled after releasing. Darbey pointed the free. The home side struck two without reply, their most successful period in the game. With the clock ticking down Quinlivan got on the scoresheet when he pointed from range. A pull on substitute Matthew McLoughlin’s jersey allowed Darbey strike the games final score from a placed ball.
Next up for our lads, their league opener at Monastery Road against Fingallians on Sunday 11th March.
Round Tower: Brian Mac Laughlin, Shane Cross, Niall Corless, Pádraic ‘Podge’ McGeever, Jack Whelan, Eoin Moran, Eoin Walsh, Gary Quinlivan, Eoghan Young, Barry Whelan, Paidi Stapleton, James Clarke, Kevin Scott, Eric Finn, Alex Darbey, Used subs: Matthew McLoughlin, Luke Currivan, Aaron Wynne, Adam Doyle.
