WHITE ’S CROSS remain on track for their third consecutive championship following a comprehensive win  over Passage at Ballinlough on Saturday.

Credit to Passage they battled  hard for long periods, but the more experienced White’s Cross side were always in control. The opening quarter was evenly  balanced as the young Passage  team were matching their opponents at centre field where the fielding of Cian McCarthy was a sight to  behold. 

Conor Buckley did kick over a  classy point in the opening minute,  – but they were held scoreless for the  next 10 minutes as Passage matched them in  many departments.  A brace of points from Shane Howard and one from brother Mark helped the harbour side to be level at three points side apiece tie  after 16 minutes. 

In the final quarter White’s Cross began playing better football and  when Ken O’Keeffe kicked over his  third point in the 27th minute their  lead extended to six points; 0-10 to was 0-04.

In the final minute came a goal  worth the admission fee alone as  the Passage half-forward, Michael  Mullane, caught a ball 20 yards  from goal before unleashing an unstoppable shot to the roof of the  net. 

Leading 0-11 to 1-4 at the break, White’s Cross realised they had to  step up a gear on the restart and although it took them eight minutes  to open up their account they then  ran their opponents ragged. 

Passage, with many U21 players  in their squad, were basically over run by the champions who kicked  points at will.  Due to emigration Passage have  lost players like Alan Keane and  Eoin O’Brien, but they have some  good young players that, with a little bit of experience, will be a force in the coming years. 

New White’s Cross player Ken  O’Keeffe looks a good signing as his  seven point tally helped his team  to book a third round berth without much   fuss.

Team: Bill Sheehan, Brian Murphy, John O’Connell, James Cooney, Donal Kelly, Eoin Murnane (0-1), Paddy O’Brien, Murt Kelleher, Denis O’Regan (0-1), Kevin Buckley (0-2), Conor Buckley (0-3), Edwin Buckley (0-5), Sean Keane (0-1), Ken O’Keeffe (0-7, 0-4 frees), Paul O’Sullivan.

Subs: Stuart Kiely for Paul O’Sullivan