From Evening Echo on 9th of May 2015
White’s Cross made no mistake at the second time of asking following their replay victory over Brian Dillons in the Sports Turf Junior A Football championship replay in Ballinlough last night.
In truth if Brian Dillons hadn’t managed to score two late goals this would have been a total blowout as the Tank Field outfit had only managed to score two points up to the 52nd minute of this game.
Playing with a strong wind White’s Cross were quickest out of the blocks with a stunning Brian O’Sullivan point in the 2nd minute to get them up and running. The Cross were in full flow and points from Sean Scanlon, Edwin Buckley and Conor Buckley saw them surge into a four point lead by the eight minute.
The next White’s Cross score was special and came courtesy of veteran Murt Kelleher who had a tremendous game and Dillons were punished further Kelleher assisted O’Sullivan for a cracking goal.
After going seven minutes without a score, Conor Buckley drilled a second goal as White’s Cross increased their lead to 11 points. Dillons managed their first score late on but they had a mountain to climb trailing 2-05 to 0-01 at the half time break.
On the restart White’s Cross played the smarter football and three consecutive points were followed by their third goal. Indeed David Beckham, in his prime, would have been proud of this goal as O’Sullivan doubled on the ball as it hit the back of the net with sheer power.
Despite Dillons getting a penalty and late goal, both from the boot of Cillian Brosnan, this was game they were totally outclassed in. When you haven’t discipline or organisation against a quality side like White’s Cross you are bound to be punished. These are the lessons that Dillons will have to take into their backdoor game.
White’s Cross: Michael Osborne, Sean O’ Gorman , Cian Smith, Cormac Manning, Martin Reid, Eoin Murnane, Sean Scanlon (0-01), Conor Buckley (1-01), Kevin Buckley, Donncha Murnane, Edwin Buckley (0-04, 0-03 all frees), Breandan Murnane, Sean Murnane, Murt Kelleher (0-01), Bryan O’Sullivan (2 -02). Subs: Joe Cashman for Eoin Murnane (36)
Brian Dillons: J Kirby, E Hussey, C Daly, M Noonan, A Murphy, C Brosnan (2-02), C McCarthy, T Lawrence, D Brosnan, (0-01) P O’Brien, D McGrath (0-01), B Triggs , D Cremin , J Horgan, M Buckley Subs: D O’Leary from T Lawrence, K Coughlan for P’O’Brien, D Coughlan for B Triggs,