This A football league was a rematch of the championship decider, where the same two teams needed a replay and extra-time to separate them.  Indeed this was a nip-and-tuck affair again, with the more recent match practice of White’s Cross a telling factor in the end of a game played in excellent conditions in Ballinlough.  The Barr’s raced into an early lead and White’s Cross were finding it hard to get into scoring positions early on.  However that all changed dramatically in a telling three minute burst twenty minutes in.  Wing-forward Sean Keane played an exquisite quick free to midfielder Murt Kelleher, who thundered through the Barr’s defence to score a fine goal.  Sean Keane, Conor Kelleher and Ken O Keeffe all tacked on quick points, and suddenly the Togher lads were chasing this contest.  

In the second half the Barrs tried and tried to break down the Cross defence, but found Paddy O Brien, John O Connell and Sean Gorman all in majestic form.  Behind them goalkeeper Billy Sheahan stood fine-and-tall for the hour, with the positive response of his partner Elaine still ringing fresh in his ears, from his proposal of marriage on the eve of the game!  White’s Cross GAA wishes them both every success together in the future.

White’s Cross lined out as follows: Billy Sheahan, John O Connell, James Cooney, Sean Gorman, Donal Kelly, Eoin Murnane, Paddy O Brien, Denis O Regan, Murt Kelleher, Jonathan Kenneally, Conor Buckley, Edwin Buckley, Conor Kelleher, Ken O Keeffe, Sean Keane. Substitutes: Donnacha Murnane, Brian Murphy, Stuart Kiely, Dylan Burke, Sean Murnane, Kevin Fennessy, Michael Osborne, Derek O Connor, Brendáin Murnane, Darragh Keane. Kevin Buckley, Thomas Meade and Paul O Sullivan were ruled out through injury.