Reaction
THE large band of White’s Cross supporters invaded the Ballinlough turf after their team created a major shock by defeating neighbours Whitechurch.
Whitechurch took Cork GAA by storm in recent weeks when winning the Junior B county championship. they were expected to win this championship final in a canter but White’s Cross had other ideas.
For man of the match, Kevin Buckley, it was a day to savour. nobody
“We came gave in us here a chance today and but we believed in our ability as we gave them a huge test as when we played them in the early round of the county championship,” said Kevin.
Having the will to win was the main difference on the day, according to Kevin.
“Whitechurch are a very good side but we got among them early and I think nobody could deny us this win as we are battle-hardened warriors,” added Kevin
For coach Finbarr Kiely the who returned to the club eight a weeks ago it was time to reflect on his 23rd championship the win ‘’The players in this club have unbelievable dedication and I think we showed many folk here today that there is no replacement for courage” said Kiely.
He believes it all happened on the training ground as the attitude in their camp was total focus.
“I looked at this team today before they went out on the pitch and I knew by their body language that they were ready for battle”
FinBARR KIELY
Kiely now believes that if their attitude stays intact they have a chance of bringing a second county championship to the Seandun Division.
“We have no use winning this game if we do not compete at county level but for now it all about enjoying this win”
Match Report
WHITE’S CROSS produced the biggest shock in Seandun history when they shocked neighbours and county champions Whitechurch in the final of the Sports Turf Solutions Junior B hurling championship at Ballinlough yesterday. With the exception of the winners not a pundit in Cork GAA would have predicted this result but it was no fluke as the intensity of White’s Cross broke the hearts of their opponents.
The old adage that goals win games certainly came to fruition as a brace from man of the match Kevin Buckley ensured the underdogs prevailed.
For Finbarr Kiely who returned to the club as coach only eight weeks ago it was a special occasion as this was his 23rd championship win in various grades.
Well-wishers surrounded Kiely as he reflected on a great occasion for club “Nobody in Cork gave us chance but I can tell you right now we were confident we had it in us to do business said Finbarr
Kiely who has spent the last few years involved with Mayfield Inter mediate footballers, decided to help out his former club when asked to do so. “There is a great bunch of players involved with this club and I am de lighted I could help them out in the last the two months and their hard work was rewarded here today,” added Kiely
Whitechurch were quickest out of the blocks with a superb point from Dylan Burke in the third minute and in their next possesion Sean Keane added another white flag with a similar strike.
White’s Cross were battling hard to stay in contention and they were rewarded for their efforts when Kevin Buckley struck over an opportunist point in the 6th minute.
Indeed Kevin Buckley was posing problems for the Whitechurch defence and he levelled the game with his second point.
It seemed that the exertion of winning the county championship seemed to be affecting Whitechurch when they were further punished when Conor Buckley executed a point following a free. The large attendance were being treated to a competitive game as Dylan Burke bought the sides level for the 3rd time.
Then came a move that stunned the hot favourites as brother Kevin flicked on a long ball from Conor Buckley to the net. The county champions were now under pressure and they were further punished in added time with a second goal. The Buckley brothers were certainly making a big impact on this game and when Conor Buckley played brother Kevin in he billowed the back of the net with sheer ferocity.
The sound of the short whistle saw White’s Cross lead 2-7 to 0-6 as the biggest attendance at city division headquarters this season was witnessing a final that was certainly going against the grain.
The big problem for Whitechurch was their lack of aggression as White’s Cross physically wiped them out in the opening 30 minutes.
Whitechurch needed to increase the tempo but they continued to be punished by their rampant oppenents who opened to their account when Kevin Buckley pointed in the 33rd minute.
Trailing by 8 points in the 38th minute Hugh Woulfe added a point from a free but it was quickly cancelled out by the irrepressible Kevin Buckley.
As the game entered the final ten minutes Whitechurch reduced the deficit to seven points and a minute later it was down to six.
That was as good as it good. Despite a late Jack Kelleher goal the county champions were well and truly defeated by the hungrier side.
Teams /Scorers
White’s Cross: Shane Cahill, Sean Murnane, Murt Kelleher, John O’Connell, Breandan Murnane, James Cooney (0-04 -all frees), Martin Reid, Conor Buckley (0-05, 0-02f) Donncha Murnane, Richie Sherlock, Eoin Murnane, Seamus Reid, Padraig Murnane, Kevin Buckley (2-05), Conal Smith (0-01).
Subs: Billy O’ Hara for S Reid (42) Sean Twomey for R Sherlock (49) Sean C Burke for Sean Murnane (60) Derek O’Connor for C Smith (60)
Whitechurch: Con Mulcahy, Brian Humphries, Jonathan Scanlon, Conor McAuliffe, Jack Kelly, Cillian Ryan, C Ryan, Victor O’Sullivan, Dylan Burke (0-02), William Casey, Padraig Dennehy (0-02 frees), Sean Keane (0-01), Jack Kelleher (1-03), Hugh Woulfe (0-01), Peter Blake (0-02), Dara Keane.
Subs: Bryan O Sullivan for W Casey (30) Ray Burke (0-01) for P Dennehy (36)