THE class and craft of Douglas proved too much for . White’s Cross as they exited tamely from the Sportsturf Solutions JAFC at Ballinlough last night.
Last season, White’s Cross were attempting to win their fourth consecutive championship but they can have few excuses after this defeat as Douglas were a far superior side.
When White’s Cross look back on this game they will realise that scoring four points over 60 minutes with only one coming from play seldom if ever gains you a victory in championship football.
It is hard to believe that that it was White’s Cross had the advantage of playing with the wind in the first half as they were totally dominated by their better-balanced opponents.
It was evident that the loss of players like Denis O’Regan, Murt Kelleher and Sean O’Gorman proved a bridge too far for the former champions.
Both sides were guilty of poor passing and shooting but it was Douglas who deservedly too the lead in the 7th minute following a free from Jonny Farrell.
After weathering the Douglas storm, White’s Cross showed have a raised a green flag in the ninth minute but Ken O’Keeffe’s weak shot was saved by the Douglas keeper. Amazingly it took White’s Cross 16 minutes to register their opening score courtesy of an O’Keeffe free.
To be fair if Douglas had taken some of their scoring opportunities they could have put this game to bed but they still looked in a solid position at the break when they commanded a 0-05 to 0-04 lead.
The second half was all about Douglas as Farrell kicked consecutive points in the opening 10 minutes. Over the last 6 years, White’s Cross have been a credit to Seandun Football but on this occasion father time caught up with them as they consistently lost possession.
The only negative for Douglas was that their shooting was a little wayward in both halves and they will need to improve in that department.
No doubt coach Finbar Bermingham has assembled a quality side and when you minor players like Jamie Davis and Paul Fitzgerald missed with the more seasoned veterans, the end result is a strong all round squad.
Conor Buckley who tried his heart out for White’s Cross was shown a straight red card with 13 minutes to go as his frustration given referee Miah Moynihan no choice. In the closing 10 minutes , Douglas kept possession and kicked some magnificent points that sealed a deserved win.
For White’s Cross, injuries and time have finally caught up with their squad but having set the benchmark for others to follow and Douglas now look serious championship contenders.
White’s Cross: Billy Sheehan, Seán Murnane, John O’Connell, Brian Murphy, Donal Kelly, Eoin Murnane, Cormac Manning, Conor Buckley (0-1), Michael Osborne, Kevin Buckley, Edwin Buckley, Donncha Murnane, Dylan Burke, Ken O’Keeffe (0-3 all frees), John McElhinney Subs: James Cooney for M Osborne (HT) Conor Kelleher for J McElhinney (45) Breandán Murnane for D Murnane , Kevin Fennessy for C Manning (54)
Douglas: T O’Connor, F Ring, M O’Shea, N Gannon, B O’Connor, N Heffernan, J Davis, G McLoughlin (0-1), G Lane, B Fitzgerald (0-2), M O’Callaghan (0-1), C Collins (0-1), E Mulrooney (0-1), N Smith, J Farrell (0-5, 0-3 frees) Subs: P Fitzgerald for N Smith, B Cuthbert for E Mulrooney, P Clarke for J Davis, I Bermingham for C Collins, M Lyons for B O’Connor