Round Towers 2-7
Kingdom Kerry Gaels 1-9
A lively Danny Sullivan London SFC encounter eventually ended in a morale boosting win for Round Towers, who demonstrated admirable resilience throughout an interesting tussle.
Crafty at the outset Towers had to show real character in the closing stages to defeat Kingdom Kerry Gaels, who dominated after the restart. Kingdom Kerry Gaels, though, just weren't sufficiently clinical up front hitting only 1-4 from 18 second-half scoring chances. That owed much to poor shot selection and the fact that kickers were being put under severe pressure by Towers, who were inspired by influential centrefielder Paul O'Donoghue.
From an early stage O'Donoghue set the tone repeatedly gathering possession and using it wisely as the underdogs snapped into the game. Despite a gutsy start Towers still trailed by 0-4 to 0-2 following 21 minutes in which Kingdom Kerry Gaels' supplied glimpses of their true potential.
But then Towers stitched a decent spell together scoring 1-3 without reply to seize the initiative. Mick Dineen's inventive pass enabled Sean Hickey grab a goal and when three points were added to Towers' account they acquired confidence.
Ahead 1-6 to 0-5 at the break Towers were inevitably put under severe duress when the action recommenced. Kingdom Kerry Gaels pressed Towers high up the pitch forcing turnovers, but they weren't efficient converting.
On a rare Towers trip into enemy territory a Hickey '45 caused panic and Cathal de Burca reacted swiftly to punch a goal. Suddenly Towers led by six, but Kingdom Kerry Gaels restored parity as a Ronan O'Boyle major was followed by points from Colm Smith (2) and substitute Kevin Crehan.
With the issue delicately poised Hickey struck a last gasp free as an improving Towers outfit caused a mild surprise.
Scorers for Round Towers: S Hickey 1-3 (2fs), C de Burca 1-0, M Dineen 0-2, M McGrath 0-1, C Keown 0-1.
Scorers for Kingdom Kerry Gaels: R O'Boyle 1-1, A O'Hara 0-3 (1f), C Smith 0-2, K Crehan 0-1, J Wycherley 0-1, S O'Grady 0-1.
Round Towers: L Mulgrew; P Gallagher, D McKillion, S O'Dwyer; O Bennett, R Gillan, C Dunne; P O'Donoghue, C Daly; K Rigney, M McGrath, C Ruane; M Dineen, C de Burca, S Hickey. Subs: C Keown for McGrath (27-30 mins, blood), C Keown for O'Dwyer (50 mins).
Kingdom Kerry Gaels: S Howard; P Kelly, J Robinson, A O'Connor; K O'Driscoll, S Browne, D McCarthy; S O'Grady, M Walsh; C Smith, S Kilcoyne, J Wycherley; R O'Boyle, A O'Hara, J Callan. Subs: P O'Shea for Walsh (28 mins), A Kelly for Callan (31 mins), K Crehan for Wycherley (43 mins), J Wycherley for O'Driscoll (59 mins, black card).
Referee: J Doyle.
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