Following on from the success of Lá na gClub in 2009, which was run to commemorate the 125^th anniversary of the founding of the GAA, White’s Cross GAA again organised its Family Fun Day in 2010.  As part of the fun activities, a series of fun-races took place for all ages, including the Mams and Dads!  These included straight sprint races, wheelbarrow races, soloing, and three legged races!  Other activities took place throughout the morning, including long puc competitions, hit-the-barrel; welly-throwing and much more. 

Meantime the younger folk had their faces painted, and played about in the bouncy castle, while their parents sat back and enjoyed the refreshments.  What proved a big attraction this year was the tug-of-war, with various categories and all ages taking place.  The most keenly fought contest had to be that between the mothers, with the two teams of 12 putting in a mighty effort in!  White’s Cross GAA would like to thank everyone involved in this extremely enjoyable day.

A large crowd gathered in anticipation in Douglas to watch a young White’s Cross squad head into their first major final for the club having previously beaten Whitechurch in the semi final to set up a mouth-watering final with favourites Passage. And nobody was left disappointed as both clubs served up a real football treat and an exhibition of sportsmanship in the evening sun.

An older Passage team showed all their skill in an opening blitz which saw them stun White’s Cross with a goal and two points before the clock had registered 10 minutes. To their credit a shell shocked White’s Cross dug deep and began to get a grip on the game with a particularly impressive performance from Billy O Hara at full back who was ably assisted by his corner backs Ronan Quain and Dan Kelleher.  The game went from end to end for most of the first half with defences on top as both sides squandered goal chances and had near misses for points. Ross Murphy and Greg Healy were motoring well at this stage in the White’s Cross midfield and the forwards were always threatening with Ciaran O Flynn, Denis Bradley and Craig O Connell causing the Passage full backline all sorts of problems.  Ryan O Connell played his centre forward role well and Aaron Kent looked dangerous on the wing.

But the star man in the White’s Cross forward line was number 10 Corey Cambridge who gave his finest performance to date in a green jersey showing skill and vision on the wing.  Passage finished the half as they started however and added a further 2 points to lead 1-4 to 0-0 at the interval.

As a testament to the White’s Cross spirit the boys in green came storming out for the second half and refused to admit defeat. The half backline came alive with Cillian Hall and Cormac O Flynn lapping up the breaking ball while captain Padraig Cloran gave a huge display to drive his team forward. A flowing move mid way through the second half saw White’s Cross finally register a score through Ryan O Connell after the introduction of the lively and always dangerous Sean Kelly.

White’s Cross completely dominated the second half and reliable goalkeeper and vice captain Jack Kiely will rarely have less to do as he watched his team get closer to scoring the necessary goal that might have changed the game. Alas the Passage defence was dogged and determined and White’s Cross attacks were repelled on each occasion.

The introductions of the ever willing Colin McCarthy & Zack Hurley couldn’t swing the tie and in the end an exhausted Passage were relieved and delighted to hear the final whistle having been held scoreless in the second period.

On reflection it was the opening five minutes that would cost the young men from the Cross the coveted victory but given that most will be U12 again next year the performance was roundly hailed as magnificent. Each player can be very proud of the manner in which they conducted themselves on and off the field and a bright future certainly lies ahead for this team.