From the Evening Echo Monday 2nd July 2012
A much improved second half display from Delaneys paved the way for them to book their place in the quarter final of the Sportsturf Solutions Junior A Hurling championship at Balinlough.
Conditons were not ideal at City Division headquarters on Saturday evening but the lack of firepower of the White’s Cross forwards was evident.
Although Kevin Buckley struck over a magnificent score after 25 seconds they struggled throughout the half to find scores despite playing with the aid of a strong wind. Delaneys did not fare much better and at the end of a dismal 30 minutes both sides shared six points at the break.
White’s Cross were missing their influential dual star Murt Kelleher who injured his achiles tendon in a recent league game and is now recuperating following an operation last week.
On the restart Delaneys upped the tempo and a key move for them was changing their freetaker as veteran Paul Finnegan was struggling to find his range. Kevin Foley duly slotted into this role and his five-point contribution was crucial to Delaneys during this period.
Niall Foley, a half-time substitute, put the game beyond doubt with 10 minutes remaining when he punished slack White’s Cross defending to drill the ball past the helpless keeper.
Despite a late Kevin Buckley goal, their only score of the half, White’s Cross can have few excuses for this disappointing performance. Next on the agenda for Delaneys is a mouth watering quarter-final clash with champions Delaneys.
White’s Cross: Shane Cahill, John O’Connell, Sean O’Gorman, Breandán Murnane, , Donal Kelly, Eoin Murnane, Brian Murphy Rob Long, Conor Buckley(0-01), Barry Murphy, Kevin Buckley (1-01), Donncha Murnane (0-01) Seán Murnane, Shane Barry, Ruairí Murnane Subs: Conor Kelleher for RuairÍ Murnane (22) Richard Sherlock for Shane Barry (42) Eamon Kelleher for Rob Long (47)
Delaneys: M O’Driscoll, C Foley, E O’Brien, D Spriggs, m Heaphy, R Foley, C Peelo, K Foley (0-05, 0-04 frees, 0-1 65), P O Connell, P Healy, P Finnegan (0-02) D Kiely (0-01), D Quinlan (0-01), B Ahern, G Maher. Subs: N Foley (1-01) for G Maher (H-t) D Carroll for D Quinlan (48) F O’Driscoll for B Ahern