The inaugural Under 13 Round Towers winter Football tournament was held on Sunday 2ndDecember at the recently upgraded Monastery Road facility. 5 local teams participated, Round Towers, St. Marks, St Pats Palmerstown, St. Annes, and Westmonstown, with Naas GAA club making the event an inter-county affair. The first game threw in at 9am on a cold morning and the hardy supporters who turned out were rewarded with some competitive football from the start.
Teams were divided into 2 groups with Round Towers making their way past St Marks and St Pats in close games to secure their place in the final. Along the way Round Towers lads Oran Shelley and Conor Flynn scored fine goals with Conor Flannery and Kasper Pawlikowski producing outstanding performances from midfield.
Managed by former Round Towers senior team manager, Cormac Kirwan, the Naas GAA team made their way to the final with convincing wins over both Westmonstown and St Annes, producing fast, flowing football to set up an exciting finale against the home side.
With rain coming down hard by now, the ball was thrown in to start the final. Naas quickly clocked up 1 – 8 without reply and looked to be on their way to an easy win. Some tough defending by the Towers back line, Michel O Reilly having a strong game, and fine saves from Towers stand in keeper, Eoin Murphy kept the score at a respectable level. It took a goal from Bradley Byrne and a couple of points from Adam Behan to steady the Towers lads nerves. A further point from Byrne edged Towers closer. However, the lads from Kildare worked hard, moving the ball smoothly on the attack and managed to score another 3 points. A nicely taken goal by Cillian Murphy and a further goal by Conor Flannery left towers within touching distance. With the game almost over, Sean Casey hit the ball low into the bottom corner to steal victory by a point, the final score Round Towers: 4 – 3 to Naas 1 – 11. Captain on the day, Sean Lyons collected the trophy for the lads in green and white.
A big thanks to the mentors, teams, referees, supporters and parents who turned out to ensure a very enjoyable day for all. Peter Parkers pictures of the Towers lads taking on St Pat’s of Palmerstown can now be viewed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/roundtowers/sets/72157632156744371/
