The Junior B side were the first of these sides in action. This was a team with high expectations having ended the interests of Ballinure, Passage and Nemo Rangers in the championship. However on the night they floundered against a good Ballyphehane side who subsequently went on to win the final of this championship. With Roy O Driscoll, Colm Sheahan and Derek O Connor all out of the country, and Sean Gorman, Edwin Buckley, Donal Kelly and Kevin Buckley all re-graded to the A-side since the Nemo victory the strength in depth of this squad was always going to be truly tested. However in our final league game prior to this championship clash disaster struck. Away to Crosshaven, the game ended up being abandoned as corner-forward Philip O’ Connell had to be taken from the grounds in ambulance with a back injury. Earlier in that game full-back and captain Robert O’ Brien and midfielder Martin Kelleher both had to be substituted with injuries. To compound matters Eoghan Kelleher picked up a leg injury the following day while training.
While all but one of the above started the semi-final game ten days later, each was noticeably hampered by their injuries. In the end, despite the best efforts of Colin Lawless, Padraig Murnane, and Tomas Meade, Ballyphehane ran out deserving winners. Incidentally and thankfully, Philip’s injuries did not prove as serious as initially feared and thankfully he is well on the way to recovery.