White’s Cross bounced back in impressive fashion on Thursday evening with a deserved 3-12 to 2-8 victory over Whitechurch in the Junior A Football League, responding brilliantly after last week’s disappointment against Ballyphehane.
The hosts made the perfect start and were ahead inside two minutes when PJ O’Donovan finished clinically to the net after White’s Cross forced an early turnover. That goal settled the team and points from Ronan Healy (2), O’Donovan, Sean Delaney, and Seamus Quinlan helped White’s Cross control much of the opening half.
Whitechurch stayed in touch with a series of points, but White’s Cross remained composed and disciplined at the back. Their hard work was rewarded with a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at half-time, leaving them in a strong position heading into the second period.
Whitechurch came out with real intent after the restart and struck for an early goal to cut the deficit, but White’s Cross responded in superb fashion. Substitute Conor Docherty made an immediate impact, finding the net shortly after being introduced to restore momentum.
Further points from Edwin Buckley, Killian Ryan, PJ O’Donovan, and John McElhinney stretched the lead before Stephen Whooley calmly converted a penalty midway through the half.
Although Whitechurch grabbed a late penalty goal, White’s Cross stayed composed in the closing stages to see out a well-earned win.
TEAM
1 – Rory Teehan
2 – Senan Ryan
3 – Barry Prendergast
4 – Mark O’ Keeffe
5 – Seamus Quinlan
6 – Donncha Murnane
7 – Dylan Burke
8 – Ruairi Quinlan
9 – Killian Ryan
10 – Cathal Quinlan
11 – PJ O’Donovan
12 – Stephen Whooley
13 – Sean Delaney
14 – Edwin Buckley
15 – Ronan Healy
SUBS:
John McElhinney, Conor Docherty, Aidan Docherty, Murt Kelleher