Four-goal St Laurence's secure statement win over Round Towers in IFC opener
Goals were the difference as St Laurence’s picked up a 4-14 to 2-14 win in Cedral St Conleth’s Park
St Laurence’s came out on the right side of a cracking Kildare National Electrical Wholesalers IFC Group B game with Round Towers in Newbridge. Larries were well worth their win over the 60 minutes but were made to work right to the very last by a Towers side that refused to roll over for last year’s finalists.
It didn’t take long for scoring to get under way in this game with Felix Lawler pointing after 45 seconds.
Towers ‘keeper Colin English put them ahead with a fine two-point free and Alan Cullagh’s side looked to be in the ascendancy when DJ Flynn was fouled inside the box when about to take aim. Max Cosgrove went for power but saw his effort kept out by an impressive parry from Paul Clynch.
Towers were punished instantly. Larries flew up the other end of the pitch and Felix Lawler hit the net off his left side to gut-punch the Kildare Town men. Tom Dooley then opened his account to have St Laurence’s lead by three after six minutes.
The Towers ‘keeper slotted a second two-point free to get them back within one before that three-point margin was restored by back-to-back points from Dylan O’Dwyer.
Tadhg Donlon won and converted a free but Larries were the more loose and comfortable team in attack; leading by four just past the 20-minute mark after O’Dwyer added another and Joe Hanamy his first.
Sean Gleeson got Towers’ next in the 23rd minute, it was their first from play in this game.
St Laurence’s took over from here with some lovely attacking football. The leading side put together a run of four points without reply before hitting the net for the second time.
Jason McHugh, Ruaidhrí Lawlor and Felix Lawler all scored as each of the half-forward line raised a white flag in quick succession.
Tom Dooley put Larries seven clear before Dylan O’Dwyer grabbed their second goal. O’Dwyer cut inside, had his first shot blocked down but got a second bite of the cherry and found the top of the net.
The leading side were seemingly out of sight at 10 clear but Towers struck back quickly to keep their hopes alive.
Jay O’Brien, having come on as a substitute for his father 10 minutes prior, found the net after being slipped in by Tadhg Donlon. O’Brien produced a cool finish low past Paul Clynch.
Max Cosgrove made amends for his earlier miss with a super two-pointer to bring his team within five points at the break (2-10 to 1-8).
It took eight minutes for the first score of the second half with both sides wasteful in possession. Dylan O’Dwyer put St Laurence’s six clear with his fourth point before Joe Hanamy extended their lead further.
This game then exploded into life again when Larries picked up their third goal through Ruaidhrí Lawlor, who was first to react to a rebound from Mark Glynn’s initial effort. Tom Dooley hit a point from close-range soon after and the leading side were seemingly at ease once again.
It was yet another false dawn however with Towers coming roaring back with a goal and a two-pointer inside the same minute. Ollie Deller raised the green flag before Jay O’Brien had the umpire reaching for an orange one as Towers kept within six at 3-13 to 2-10.
After some wrestling and roaring, the crowd was up and this game felt like a top-level Championship atmosphere. Sean Glennon grabbed his first of the day before Jay O’Brien registered yet another two-point free with a lovely strike and Towers were within three with six minutes remaining.
St Laurence’s deserve huge credit for their resolve and composure with Cian Miley picking up a well-timed point to settle things. Larries then put together a sumptuous forward move with Oisin Grufferty slipping in Felix Lawler who passed across for Joe Hanamy to punch into the net and finally win this game once and for all.
Towers substitute Charlie Mahony got the game’s last score as Larries ran out 4-14 to 2-14 winners after an all-action encounter in Round 1 of Group B.
St Laurence's: Dylan O'Dwyer 1-4 (0-2 frees), Felix Lawler 1-2, Joe Hanamy 1-2, Ruaidhrí Lawlor 1-1, Tom Dooley 0-3, Jason McHugh 0-1, Cian Miley 0-1.
Round Towers: Jay O'Brien 1-4 (2 x 2ptf), Colin English 0-4 (2 x 2ptf), Ollie Deller 1-0, Max Cosgrove 0-2 (1 x 2pt), Tadhg Donlon 0-1 (0-1 frees), Sean Gleeson 0-1, Sean Glennon 0-1, Charlie Mahony 0-1.
ST LAURENCE'S: Paul Clynch; Senan Gallagher, Ciaran Sullivan, Conor Clarke; Oisin Grufferty, Kevin Eustace, James Donnolly; Mark Glynn, David O'Driscoll; Felix Lawler, Ruaidhrí Lawlor, Jack McHugh; Dylan O'Dwyer, Tom Dooley, Joe Hanamy. Subs: Niall Clynch for Tom Dooley (49 minutes), Cian Miley for David O'Driscoll (49 minutes), Jack Dargan for James Donnolly (58 minutes).
ROUND TOWERS: Colin English; Dee Kelly, Jack O'Neill, Hugh McDonald; Sean Gleeson, Stephen Comerford, Ben Ryan; Cian Walsh, Danny Kelly; Max Cosgrove, Tadhg Donlon, Mark Byrne; DJ Flynn, Charlie Mahony, Jason O'Brien. Subs: Jay O'Brien (jnr) for Jason O'Brien (20 minutes), Ollie Deller for Tadhg Donlon (Half-time), Mark Byrne for DJ Flynn (Half-time), Matthew Kelly for Danny Kelly (45 minutes).
Referee: Frank Delaney