Bragging rights were restored in the locality of White’s Cross once more with our recent success over near neighbours Carraig na bhFear in the semi-final of the McSwiney Cup – but only just! This competition, organised by the Seandun Division has attracted the interest of a number of outside clubs in recent years. The decision of Carraig to enter the competition in 2006, was followed by two more of their Imokilly counterparts in 2007, with both Glenville and Glanmire entering this straight knock-out cup.
What added to the sense of occasion in this particular game was that it was played under floodlights, the first time a round of this competition was played under lights, and also new territory for the White’s Cross lads. As per the previous encounter, the game proved a low-scoring clash, with both sets of defences taking the plaudits. While it might have lacked some of the physical intensity of its equivalents from twenty years and on, it more than made up for this in terms of honest commitment and some excellent passages of football.
However both of these new entrants faltered along the way and thus exited the competition. Carraig defeated Douglas and Passage on route to the semi-final while White’s Cross overcame Na Piarsaigh and other near neighbours Rathpeacon. Thus the scene was set for a repeat of last year’s final which White’s Cross had won on a score-line of 1-7 to 0-5. Incidentally that game had been the first time these two Clubs, who had historically been the keenest of rivals, had met in competitive action in over twenty years. They were back in battle again within twelve months!
In the White’s Cross full-back line Martin Kelleher and Kevin Fennessy, along with Thomas Meade defended stoically while outside them Eoin Murnane exerted real influence on matters from the pivotal position. At the opposite end of the field the intense energy of Paddy O’ Brien, Bryan O’ Sullivan and the Buckley brothers Kevin and Conor, caused problems at times for the Carraig defence, but over the hour they managed to put the shackles on our crew! Nonetheless White’s Cross won out in the end by the most slender of margins 0-8 to 0-7.