White’s Cross junior B footballers produced their best performance of the season so far in this top of the table clash played in Douglas on Sunday morning last (4th July). From one to fifteen, White’s Cross won all the key battles and once they established an early lead they were always able to keep the strong Douglas side at arm’s length and never really looked in danger of not losing the game. As alluded to , White’s Cross burst out of the traps and Alfie McEvoy’s third goal in four games had White’s Cross into a very early lead. Stephen Whooley, who once again tormented the Douglas rearguard with his pace, added his second goal in in as many games to give his side the best possible start. Shane Cahill, who would finish with six point in total and was probably the man of the match in this fantastic team performance, also added early point to leave Douglas stunned. To their credit they came into the game and added some points of their own. They were assisted by a decent breeze and managed to cut the lead to 4 points. Thanks in the main to the outstanding full back line of minor-player Senan Ryan, the experienced Sean O’Gorman and captain Richie Sherlock, the home side never threatened the White’s Cross goal in the opening half. At the other side of the field White’s Cross continued to create and squander goal chances before eventually Paul O’Sullivan got his team’s third goal. The half time score was 3-05 to 0-07 points.
Douglas made a valiant effort after half time to get back into the game but their opening two points were more than cancelled out as White’s Cross added another 4 points to lead by 9 points approaching the second water break. A momentary lapse in concentration in the backs allowed Douglas take a quick free and as no White’s Cross player had gone back on the line or was quick enough to react the ball went to the back of the net. Suddenly there was only six points in the game and the home side were back in with a chance. However, they were not allowed to build any momentum. White’s Cross management moved Stephen Whooley into a free role as sweeper to add more presence to the defence while Cathal Quinlan was now clearly on top in his battle in the middle of the field against the experience Cormac Lucey. As a result Douglas were only able to add one more point. At the other end, there was now more space for the White’s Cross forwards and this was exploited. The outstanding Shane Cahill, Alfie McEvoy and John Gaffney all kicked fine points as White’s Cross pressed home their advantage. A beleaguered and over-ran Douglas defence also conceded a late penalty which Edwin Buckley dispatched coolly to the net to seal a comprehensive win. White’s Cross are now four wins out of four and sit on top of the table. Next up is a game against Mayfield on Tuesday July 20th in White’s Cross.