From Evening Echo 26th Aug 2010
A TOTAL mismatch as White’s Cross strolled into the semi-final of the Silversprings Moran Hotel Junior A football championship following a comprehensive win over neighbours Rathpeacon at Páirc Dubhslanaigh last night.
The championship holders were seldom troubled by a Rathpeacon side that were simply not at the races. Rathpeacon, who shocked Brian Dillon’s in the last round, were minus Michael McGinn but in reality they would have had a mountain to climb even with their influential centre-field player.
White’s Cross, playing with the aid of a stiff breeze in the first half, took time to get into their stride despite Ken O’Keeffe kicking a point in the first minute.
The one problem for White’s Cross is that they failed to play the ball wide and a tight and game Rathpeacon were suited to a tight game.
For a period in the half both teams’ passing options were poor and Rathpeacon could only manage two points in the half.
The champions, without ever excelling, were helped when Conor Buckley drilled a fabulous shot to the roof of the net that helped his side to a 1-10 to 0-2 interval lead.
Amazingly, playing against the wind White’s Cross played better football as no doubt coach Finbarr Kiely had given them a rollicking at the break.
Two consecutive points in three minutes was followed immediately by a three man-sweeping move that saw Seán Keane finish with a clinical shot that gave the Rathpeacon keeper no chance.
In truth, Rathpeacon seldom troubled the White’s Cross defence and when substitute Dylan Burke raised a third green flag in the 50th minute this game was well and truly over as a contest. Next on the agenda for White’s Cross is a meeting with Nemo Rangers and no doubt their credentials will be tested in that fixture.
Team. Bill Sheehan, Brian Murphy, James Cooney, John O’Connell, Donal Kelly, Eoin Murnane (0-1), Paddy O’Brien, Murt Kelleher(0-1), Denis O’Regan, Kevin Buckley (0-2), Conor Buckley (1-2), Donncha Murnane (0-1), Sean Keane (1-1), Edwin Buckley (0-3, 0-2 frees), Ken O’Keeffe (0-7, 0-1 frees),.
Subs Dylan Burke (1-1) for Sean Keane (41 mins) Sean O’Gorman for Donal Kelly (42 minutes) Stuart Kiely for Kevin Buckley (44 minutes) Conor Kelleher for Ken O’Keeffe (48 minutes) Jonathan Keneally for Donncha Murnane (49 minutes)