A late Conor Buckley penalty put the gloss on a great championship victory for White’s Cross over Passage in a game played in Ballinlough recently. When these two sides clashed earlier in the year, in their opening round league game, Passage come out on top by a margin of 19 points.
The early exchanges in this game suggested that a repeat of the result of the league encounter could be on the cards. Passage scored the opening three points of the game as they penned White’s Cross into their own half. They controlled all the kickouts and their fast full forward line had a plentiful supply of ball from which to convert into scores. Billy O’Hara scored a superb goal to open the scoring for White’s Cross but Passage responded again to get the next three points to leave a goal between the sides once more. A switch seemed to click in White’s Cross at this point as they stormed back into the game. As the game became more intense and physical, the stronger the White’s Cross lads became. Craig O’Connell and Colin Sisk started to dominate the midfield battle and Conor Buckley came into his own at centre forward. The scores started to come and despite only playing for 10 minutes of the half, White’s Cross found themselves level at half time with the scoreboard reading 1-05 to 0-08.
The second half continued as the first half ended. White’s Cross aggression, intensity and work rate was more than the harbour side could handle. Seamus Quinlan at wing back typified the performance with numerous block downs and dispossessions when a score looked on for Passage. At the other end, the direct running of Craig O’Connell, Colin Sisk , Billy O’Hara had the Passage defence under all sorts of pressure. White’s Cross got six points in that half, all from play, as their opponents failed to trouble the scoreboard once during that time. The ability to introduce fresh legs at vital times during the game was also a big advantage in a physically draining championship encounter. Fergal Reig, Sean Twomey, Shane Twomey, Cormac O’Flynn and Colin McCarthy all won some vital possession when they came on and ensured victory for their side.
Team. Conor Kelleher, John O’Connell, Ronan Aherne , Padraig Murnane, Seamus Quinlan Derek O’Connor, Max Philpott , Craig O’Connell, Colin Sisk Billy O’Hara , Conor Buckley , James Royal, , Niall Twomey, Sean Murnane Don O’Connell,
Subs, Colin McCarthy, Cormac O’Flynn, Fergal Reid, Shane Twomey, Sean Twomey and Donal Kelly