Jay O'Brien leads Towers to victory over The Larks

Round Towers 1-12

Ballyteague 1-7

After a preliminary round demolition of Ballymore Eustace all eyes were on Round Towers to see if they could replicate that result and performance.

Ballyteague were always going to provide a sterner test in this Auld Shebeen Athy Intermediate football championship group B encounter and Towers had to come from four points down before recording a five point victory.

A Jay O'Brien goal on 44 minutes helped turn the tide in their favour.They hit five late points without reply as Ballyteague's effort faded.The Larks failed to register a score over the closing 13 minutes and it ultimately proved to be their downfall.

Ballyteague for their part had recorded an impressive preliminary round win over Moasterevin but the men from Kildare Town proved a step to far.

Ballyteague opened the game with a strong wind advantage but it was Towers, through Jay O'Brien, who opened the scoring after two minutes It didn't take Ballyteague long to respond and they hit three in a row over the next four minutes. Seamus Hanafin used the wind to curl over two fine efforts from close on 40 metres. Colin English's attempted short kickout after Hanafin's second score saw Jimmy Hyland intercept before he fisted over. Hyland was impressive throughout as he looked sharp after an injury plagued season.

A foul on Jamie Flynn saw keeper Colin English reduce the gap with a 40 metre free into the wind. Brian McGrath converted a free from a tight angle before Hyland added his second to open a three point lead.

Despite the tough elements Towers were having luck with a strong running game and wing back Sean Glennon reduced the gap before Jay O'Brien landed a free after Mark Waters was fouled close to goal.

The games opening goal arrived on 23 minutes.As Towers tried to play out of defence a Michael Joyce pass to Colin English was intercepted by Hyland and with two wonderful dummies he shot low to the Towers net. Jay O Brien left three between the sides 1-5 to 0-5 at the break with his third of the half.

Round Towers returned with the strong wind in their favour but when Jamie Flynn picked off the ground a quick Seamus Hanafin free found Jimmy Hyland and with only a minute gone he extended the lead to four.

Ballyteague would go sixteen minutes without a score as Towers assumed control. If Jimmy Hyland is one of the more established forwards in the country Jay O'Brien is an exciting prospect on the way up and he added 1-1 to bring the sides level on 44.

O'Brien pointed from a free after substitute Max Cosgrove was fouled. Half time substitute Ben Ryan found Mark Waters and when he got the ball across the square O'Brien was on hand to tap home. The sides were level.

Jason O'Brien edged Towers ahead but the lead was shortlived as Ballyteague made a rare break into the Towers half and again it was Jimmy Hyland who leveled to bring his total to 1-4.

A superb catch from Evan Flynn from a Ballyteague kickout lead to another Jay O Brien point.He added a free after a pickup and Towers were two up.

Another sub Max Cosgrove got in on the scoring act.He forced a good save from Jason Casey before tapping over the loose ball. Mark Murphy from wing back and Ben Ryan added late points as Towers ran out 1-12 to 1-7 winners.

ROUND TOWERS: Colin English 0-1 (1 free); Jack O'Neill, Michael Joyce, Mikey Kelly; Sean Glennon 0-1, David O'Neill, Michael Murphy 0-1; Jamie Flynn, Cian Walsh; Jay O Brien 1-6 (3 frees) Mark Waters, Evan Flynn; Max Cosgrove, Jason O'Brien 0-1, Max Byrne. Subs: Mikey Kelly for Padraig Daly 7; Ben Ryan 0-1 for Max Byrne h/t; Max Cosgrove 0-1 for Cian Walsh 39; Aaron McConville for Evan Flynn 58.

BALLYTEAGUE: Jason Casey,Padraic Hanley, David Randles, Ryan Webb, Cian Loughlin,Gerry Melia, Glen Thorpe, Seamus Hanafin 0-2, Tommy Callan,Conor Hanley,Brian McGrath 0-1(1 free), Padraic Murphy, Barry Dempsey, Fionn Murphy, Jimmy Hyland 1-4. Subs: Stephen Ennis for Padraic Hanley 22; Darragh Kearns for Padraic Murphy 42; Cathal Hanafin for Barry Dempsey 58.

REFEREE: Fergus Devereux