The under 12 footballers won a thrilling league final played in Mayfield on Sunday morning last. They now join their under 14 and under 16 counterparts in collecting a trophy for the season’s efforts. The game was played in very windy conditions. Shamrocks won the toss and opted to play against the wind in the first half. This looked like an inspired decision as it took White’s Cross a while to settle into the game. Eventually, Bobby O Riordan did manage to score a point in the fifth minute after being set up by Sean Delaney. Two minutes later, however, White’s Cross had the ball in the back of the net with captain Shane Buckley applying the finishing touch. The next period was all White’s Cross and they were rewarded on the scoresheet. Liam O’Connor and Ronan Healy were dominant in midfield and both scored after surging runs at the Shamrocks defence. Sean Delaney, who got three points in total, finished a very good move involving several players and White’s Cross lead 1-06 to 0-00. A momentary lapse in concentration at the other end of the field saw the South East lads get a goal back. Shamrocks players were more alert to a break ball of the post and were rewarded with a goal. The half time score ready 1-06 to 1-00.

And so White’s Cross turned to play into the wind in the second half. The outlook for the half was not looking promising, when, after five second half minutes had elapsed, Shamrocks had halved their deficit to three points with three shots on the goal. The backs were certainly to the wall at this stage but they came out fighting. The backs were immense. Michael Mullins was inspirational all through and he was ably assisted by Mark O Keeffe, Oisin O’Connell, Aidan Docherty, Evan Quaine and James Buckley in goal. Liam O’Connor and Sean Delaney also played deeper roles to help out. Time after the time, the backs harried, pressurised their opponents into turning over possession or shooting wildly. Try as they might, the Shanbally based side could not equalise and White’s Cross held on for a deserved two point win. Shane Buckley accepted the trophy and thanked coaches Simon Buckley, Sean Murnane, Nick Harden, Brian O’Connor and Marion Delaney.

Team: James Buckley, Aidan Docherty, Evan Quaine, Mark O’Keeffe, Oisin O’Connell, Michael Mullins, Ronan Healy, Liam O’Connell, Luke Mullins, Sean Delaney, Bobby O’Riordan, Caolan Garde, Shane Buckley. Subs Oscar O’Connell, David Morley, Eoghan Murnane, Hugo O’Hara, Gerry McNamara, Charlie O’Callaghan, Cathal Brother, James O’Leary