Towers impress to secure championship crown

ROUND Tower Clondalkin’s ascension up the ranks continued, as they delivered a Go-Ahead Junior E Ladies Football Championship success at St Margaret’s GAA Club on Friday night seeing off Crumlin 2-20 to 1-11, reports Cóilín Duffy.

In front of a large crowd, Frankie Roebuck’s charges certainly impressed, and although they trailed early on this was for a brief spell, as they ultimately went on to lift silverware.

They delivered an impressive win on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t all easy.

Crumlin were eager from the off and forced Towers keeper Caitríona McGrath to make an early save after an Alex Hodgins goal effort.

Hodgins did find the back of the net in the second half, but at that stage there was a nine-point gap, and Towers responded well on the way to silverware.

The first score of the hour, came from Alanna Hodgins soon after Alex’s goal chance, but Crumlin’s lead was short-lived.

Just 30 seconds later Emily Burke led by example, firing the first of her nine points in this game – and with a goal also added to her tally by the final whistle, she claimed the Go-Ahead Ireland Player of the Match award.

Crumlin gave it their best shot but fell short in the end

Towers’ first goal came after three minutes, with Jenny Cleary-Burns had the vision and guts to fire to the net from 40 metres out, as the Crumlin defence was left exposed.

Scores continued to flow well for the Clondalkin side, with points from Emma O’Malley (2) and Burke opening up a five-point lead after just seven minutes.

Crumlin got scores from Alex and Alanna Hodgins either side of a Megan Hoyte effort, but Towers were taking their chances well, and led by 1-11 to 0-5 after 20 minutes.

Soon after Towers cut in for a goal chance, but Emily Burke was denied after Crumlin keeper Mel Moore forced a 45’.

Towers kept going, with Gráinne Heduan becoming their seventh scorer, before unanswered points from Burke (2) and Julia O’Flannery ensured a 1-15 to 0-5 interval lead.

Round Tower ladies were too strong for Crumlin

Crumlin were wasteful in the latter stages of the opening half, and fired their sixth wide early on the restart, but soon settled with points from Abby Ryan and Caoimhe Murphy.

Amazingly after being so prolific in front of the posts in the opening half, Towers found themselves unable to score between the 29th and 46th minutes – the third quarter passing them by without being able to reach the target.

Crucially for them, Crumlin only managed three points during this spell, with substitute Hannah Murray adding to their tally seconds after her introduction.

Towers eventually broke their duck with Burke registering her eighth point, before Heduan followed up with a fine score.

Crumlin found the net through Alex Hodgins in the 48th minute, but 60 seconds later Burke responded with a vital goal.

The sides traded points twice between then and the 59th minute, and although Alanna Hodgins registered her fifth point early in injury-time it was far too late for Crumlin.

ROUND TOWER CLONDALKIN: C McGrath; E Roebuck, A Cassidy, SJ Fagan; C Gelera, Y O’Neill, G Heduan; S McCarthy, E O’Malley; T Sheridan, N Halpin, M Hoyte; J Cleary-Burns, E Burke, J O’Flannery. Subs: A Robertson for Gelera; K Whelan for Cleary-Burns; S Gelera for Sheridan; J Nolan for Roebuck, F Hyland, E McCormack, S McVeigh, N Aja.

CRUMLIN: M Moore, K Aherne, E Steacy, N Johnson; S Gavigan, G Smith, R Roe; R Horan, P Chebah; C O’Sullivan, A Hodgins, A Hodgins; L Morrissey, A Ryan, C Murphy. Subs: ESinclair for Morrissey; N Fitzsimons for O’Sullivan; H Murray for Smith; E Creighton for Murphy, C Cooke, S Dunne, E Doyle, A Magee, M Mac Manamon, E Best.

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