Douglas booked their place in the last four of the Junior A Football Championship following their comfortable win over a disappointing White’s Cross side at Ballinlough. In truth playing against the wind White’s Cross looked the better side side in the opening 12 minutes with points from Conor Buckley and Paul O’Sullivan giving them the lead. Douglas looked disorganised but as the half matured they began winning crucial possession with Michael Lynch opening their scoring account with points in the 15th and 17th minutes.
Cormac Dineen edged Douglas edged Douglas ahead five minutes later and from this the slide began for White’s Cross.
There is little doubt the White’s Cross keeper was slow with his kick-outs and the match referee Kevin Murphy rightfully played four minutes of added time. In the period Finbarr Desmond kicked a point and deep into added time a John Collin’s high ball wasn’t dealt with as it dropped straight to the net.
Trailing 1-04 to 0-02 at the break White’s Cross must have felt reasonably happy despite their sluggish second quarter display. Bryan O’Sullivan reopened their account in the 37th but theu only managed one more white flag.
Over the years when White’s Cross dominated this championship they had powerful centrefield players like Murt Kelleher. He is now at full-forward and in this game it was evident they could not match the pace of their opponents.
Although Douglas kicked crucial points they also managed to kick 14 wides but it does show their dominance over the hour. The ever reliable Conor Buckley couldn’t stamp his authority on the game and Edwin Buckley was basically starved of possession.
Upwards and onwards for Douglas full in the knowledge that they have a reasonable chance of championship glory as White’s Cross have some rebuilding to do if they are to become a force at this level again.
White’s Cross: Michael Osborne, Sean O’ Gorman , Cian Smith, Cormac Manning, Martin Reid, Eoin Murnane, Killian Ryan, Conor Buckley (0-01 free), Kevin Buckley, Breandan Murnane, Edwin Buckley (0-01), Paul O’Sullivan, Dylan Burke, Murt Kelleher (0-01), Bryan O’Sullivan (0 -01). Subs: Joe Cashman for Breandan Murnane (43)
Douglas P Scannel, J Lyons, R Keating, B Collins, D O Shaughnessy, J Collins (1-0), R White, C Dineen (0-1), P Clarke, J Moylan, M Lynch (0-03, 0-2 frees), C Colllins (0-2), F Desmond (0-2), G McLoughlin (0-02, 0-1 free), B Cuthbert (0-1),