This was an absorbing contest from start to finish in the county junior B hurling championship played in glorious sunshine in Ballinlough on Tuesday evening last. White’s Cross had to dig deep in the last five minutes to secure victory at a time in the game when the momentum had swung in favour of Belgooly. Edwin Buckley’s first half goal was the key score as White’s Cross lead at half time on a scoreline of 1-08 to 0-06. At the start of the second half some outstanding scores from Eoin and Ruairí Murnane pushed White’s Cross further out in front and lead 1-10 to 0-07 after 40 minutes. This game was far from over as Belgooly had plenty of sharp forwards who could cause damage if given an opportunity. It was testimony to the tight man-marking job done by Murt Kelleher at centre back on Belgooly’s main scoring threat and former Cork intermediate hurler Ruairí O’Dwyer that Belgooly had been restricted to just seven points. It was inevitable that they would come into the game at some point though and they started to enjoy a period of dominance. They began to find their range and their goal gave them the belief that they might go on and win. Points from Conor Buckley and Kevin Buckley did manage to push them back but with only five minutes remaining they scores were level at 1-12 to 1-12 and it was definitely the lads from the south east of the county who were motoring best at this stage. This is a time for leaders, however, and White’s Cross had plenty. Murt Kelleher was having a stormer at centre back, Donncha Murnane, operating at midfield was up and down the field determined that White’s Cross would not bow out. In the forwards, two mammoth Conor Buckley points and one from Eoin Murnane, when their backs were to the wall, claimed victory for White’s Cross. This result will hopefully have steeled White’s Cross for the upcoming challenges. They are back in the county semi final where they are due to face near neighbours Rathpeacon for the third time this year. Currently, it is one victory each so both teams will believe they can win. This game will take place tomorrow night (Friday 15th July) in Ballinlough.

Team: Shane Cahill, Derek O’Connor, John O’Connell, Pádraig Murnane, Robert McElhinney, Murt Kelleher,Fiachra O’Connell Donncha Murnane (0-01), Richie Sherlock, Ruairí Murnane (0-02), Eoin Murnane (0-02), Conor Buckley (0-09 – 0-05 frees), Edwin Buckley (1-01), Kevin Buckley (0-01) Seán Twomey.