The month commenced with the Moran’s Silversprings sponsored Junior A Football Championship final on Sunday, October 4th in Ballinlough. Here White’s Cross were matched up against a St. Finbarr’s side who were looking for a revenge, having been defeated by the Cross in the opening round of the championship last May, only to avail of the back-door route. The Barrs were also anxious to atone somewhat for the disappointment of the previous Sunday when their Senior Footballers had lost their county final clash with Clonakilty.
However White’s Cross weren’t going to relinquish this title easily, and were very keen to return the Championship Cup back to its rightful home in White’s Cross. This is something that can be claimed with justification, given that the cup is named after former club stalwart Joe O Callaghan (R.I.P.). Their was also the added incentive of qualifying for a County Quarter Final showdown with Cloyne, a repeat of the 2008 qualifier, were the East-Cork side won out on the slenderest of margins. One game at a time however…!
In the divisional final, while corner-forward Edwin Buckley received all the plaudits, a mean White’s Cross defense must also take great credit. While Buckley was in rampant form up front, the likes of Billy Sheahan, Sean Gorman, John O’ Connell and Sean Murnane were giving nothing away easily. Outside them Eoin Murnane marshaled the centre-back berth with total command, while Murt Kelleher and Denis O’ Regan had a vice-like grip on centre of field proceedings.
Such was the dominance of the White’s Cross defense it took until injury time at the end of the first half for the Barr’s to finally register a score; meantime Buckley and company had tacked on a goal and six points. The Barr’s did open the second half with its two first points but Buckley put-an-end to any of their lofty ambitions with a sublime goal in the 40th minute, to help the Cross into a 2-8 to 0-3 lead. The Togher lads fought to the bitter end but it continued to prove a great day for the Cross, winning out 2-13 to 1-5 in the finish.
There were great scenes of celebration at the final whistle and the large White’s Cross following was on hand to give a rousing reception to captain Paddy O Brien, on receiving the Cup from Divisional Chairperson Michael O Shea. Edwin Buckley picked up the man of the match award; a highly credible achievement considering he also picked up the equivalent accolade in the 2006 decider.