White’s Cross maintained their unbeaten run in the Division 4 Football League with a deserved 2-13 to 1-08 victory over Ballyphehane on Sunday afternoon, rounding off an excellent weekend for the club following the A team’s away win over St. Nick’s on Saturday.
The home side, playing with the aid of a strong breeze, started brightly, with Barry Prendergast opening the scoring inside the first minute. Edwin Buckley quickly made his mark a minute later, converting an early two-point free to settle White’s Cross. Ballyphehane, driven on by Danny Kiely (the nephew of former White’s Cross coach Finbarr Kiely) responded with a spell of four unanswered points to edge ahead midway through the half, but the Cross regained control through Buckley’s accuracy from placed balls, including another two-pointer and a free.
Sean Delaney added a well-taken score from play before Buckley capped an impressive first-half display with a superb two-point effort from play, giving White’s Cross a 0-09 to 0-04 lead at the interval.
The second half saw White’s Cross push on decisively. Delaney and Prendergast extended the lead before a key moment arrived when Buckley saw a penalty rebound off the post—only to calmly convert another spot kick minutes later after substitute Patrick Harrington was fould. That was quickly followed by a well-finished goal from Evan Quain who palmed the ball over the keeper’s head following great work, again, by Patrick Harrington. This score effectively ended the game as a contest.
Further points from Daniel Kelleher and Buckley kept the scoreboard ticking over. Although Ballyphehane rallied late, grabbing a penalty goal of their own with the final kick of the game (which was ended prematurely) and a couple of frees, the result was never in doubt.
It was a strong, composed performance from White’s Cross, who continue to build momentum and confidence as their league campaign progresses.
TEAM
1 – James Buckley
2 – Michael Mullins
3 – Ronan Quaine
4 – Richie Sherlock
5 – Aidan Docherty
6 – Mark O’ Keeffe
7 – Luke Murphy
8 – Barry Prendergast
9 – Sean Delaney
10 – Luke Mullins
11 – Evan Quain
12 – Edwin Buckley
13 – Fionnan Quinlan
SUBS USED: Murt Kelleher, Daniel Kelleher, Michael Osborne, Ethan Ryan, Patrick Harrington