Our U14 footballers won their 1st round championship match with a stirring comeback. Shamrocks travelled to provide the opposition on 1st September. White’s Cross started well with an early brace of points from Patrick Harrington. However, Shamrocks were playing the better football and they gradually opened a nine point lead with two goals and a string of well-worked points. White’s Cross stayed in touch with a goal from Brendan Quain. At half-time, White’s Cross trailed by 2-7 to 1-4. Our players were disappointed with their performances in that first half, as they knew that they were capable of much better. They approached the second half with a great attitude and willingness to battle to the end. With a couple of early points in the second half, we started to reel in our opponents, but then the team from Shanbally got a third goal to re-open a substantial lead. Thankfully, almost immediately PJ O’Donovan ghosted in behind Shamrocks’ defence to score a fine goal. After some positional switches, Robert Docherty and Eddie Coughlan tightened up the home defence, allowing our captain Ethan Ryan to push upfield to make frequent storming runs through the middle. Jack Collins scored a point with a long range effort to build on the momentum for the home side. Luke Kelleher was in great point-scoring form from both open play and frees. He bagged six points in the second-half and with five minutes left on the clock, he scored the equaliser. It got even better when Patrick Harrington drilled a low shot to the net through a crowded goal. There were some anxious moments yet as Shamrocks pushed forward, scoring two points leaving just one point between the sides. However, White’s Cross held firm and go onto the quarter-final stages after winning by 3-12 to 3-11.

Panel: Sean Delaney, Ruairi Quinlan, Charlie Browne, Daniel O’Keeffe, Ethan Ryan, Luke Murphy, Robert Docherty, Luke Kelleher, Eddie Coughlan, Patrick Harrington, PJ O’Donovan, Riain Harden, Brendan Quain, Jack Collins, Ciaran Aitken, Shane Buckley, Mark O’Keeffe, Aidan Docherty, Ronan Healy.