The sun shone in Blarney on Sunday evening and it certainly shone on White’s Cross Under 13 footballers as they saw off a very stern challenge from Grenagh to put this football league title with the hurling title won the previous Monday in a victory over Dripsey.  It crowned off a great fortnight for the Club with the Under 12 footballers also winning their league final against Tracton the week before – some of these young lads have the proud distinction of winning three finals in 2014.

This was a fantastic encounter from start to finish and not for viewing by the faint hearted. When Grenagh scored a point late on to take the lead for the first time, they had all the momentum and with the wind assisting them, it felt that it was not going to be for White’s Cross. However the lads in green and white had other ideas and centre-forward Conor Docherty scored a great point, from the end of a well worked move that started with an astute kickout from goal-keeper Aaron Wallace, to bring this game into extra-time. Docherty was simply imperious in this encounter and the Grenagh defence struggled to cope with his pace and skill.

This was by no means a one-man show by White’s Cross however – the aforementioned Aaron Wallace was very solid in goal while his pinpoint accuracy from kickouts launched many White’s Cross attacks. Outside him Jordan Bransfield and Peter Twomey were like giants – Twomey was very solid all through while Bransfield tore into this game in the second period of extra time, when this game was in the melting pot. Equally Tom Casey was rock solid and showed great adaptability when he was moved up the field in the second half, where he won great possession time and again. This positional switch was to facilitate the entry of Brendan Quain into this encounter, and whilst many in the very large crowd might have been surprised to see a lad of such tender years and small stature introduced into our defence at a time when we were being bombarded by our opponents, the merits of the switch were seen rightaway as Quain fought like a tiger for everything that came his way, and won back possession that most would have not even bothered to contest.

Another young player that was integral to the success was Harry Coughlan who played his heart out, winning great ball and always laying it off intelligently. Centre-back Patrick O Hara was a marvel all through and many feared for our chances when he went down injured during the first period of extra time after a late tackle – however thankfully O Hara was back to his feet after some quick treatment from the magic sponge! O Hara’s first half goal, when he ghosted through the Grenagh defence was as good a score as one will see – the only pity was that, and typical of the type of nip-and-tuck in this encounter, was that Grenagh had cancelled out its impact in no time with a good goal of their own. Gavin Cronin played the captain’s role from the centre of the field and showed immense work-rate in the way he attacked and defended all through.

Luke Murphy showed great skill on the ball in this encounter, and whilst his goal at the end of the first period of extra time, which helped us to a six point lead at that juncture, was not necessarily what he planned with this particular kick, he was due some good fortune for his hard-work. Adrian Buckley was another to give his all in this fascinating game, and he worked himself to a stand-still before being withdrawn late on. In the full forward line the towering presence of Sadiq Bakere was a real threat all through and his ball handling skills were top notch – his point at the end, which crashed off the crossbar, may have been his only score, but this was a guy more than happy to do the dirty work and leave it to another to take the glory. Alongside him Cathal O Flynn, showed the same eye for goal that he had in the hurling final, when he scored two goals and a point, a great return from someone who saw little ball in his corner of the field.

In terms of deciding a most-improved-player for the 2014 season from this squad one would find it hard to look beyond second half substitute Senan Ryan. Ryan was outstanding in the under 12 final win two weeks ago, and he showed the same uncanny eye for the ball in this fine win. Other vital members of this squad, who brought an historic double to White’s Cross were Kaelan Skillington, Stephen Whooley, Jack O Callaghan and Fionn Hickey – the latter was unavailable for selection for the final.

It has been a fantastic achievement from this crop of players to do the double and in a speech later on at the Clubhouse, Juvenile Chairperson Mike O Flynn paid great credit to the management team of Sean Coughlan, Ciaran Hickey and Finbarr Pyne – all of their hard work paid dividends in this most delightful of victories. One must spare a thought also for Grenagh – this encounter hung in the balance right to the end and could really have gone either way. However their management and supporters will take great heart from the real battling qualities their side showed in this final, which White’s Cross won 5-12 to 3-12.