Following a win against Mayfield, White’s Cross played their second home league game of the week in the junior B football league. This was also the final group stage game and it was essentially a semi-final as it was first v second with only one team progressing to the final (there are no semi-finals in the 2021 Junior B football League). White’s Cross had every reason to be nervous going into the game following the game v bottom side Mayfield earlier in the week. However, perhaps that performance eradicated any complacency against a very strong Ballincollig side that included former intercounty defender Stephen O’Donoghue and Brian Kelly (brother of former All-Star Patrick Kelly). The first was very close and though White’s Cross lead all through there was never more than a point in it. White’s Cross management moved last year’s minor player Adrian Buckley into the defence as a sweeper and his energy in this role helped counter the Ballincollig threat to half time. White’s Cross lead 0-07 to 0-06 at this juncture.
Shane Cahill
The second half started as the first ended with points being traded between the sides. The key moment in this game though was a super penalty save by goalkeeper Rory Teehan after 10 minutes. This was followed shortly later by a Shane Cahill goal. The same player added another goal a few minutes later and now White’s Cross were in complete ascendancy. The bench made a huge difference on this warm evening as they brought a new energy to the game when Ballincollig were faltering. At the end White’s Cross won convincingly and have now qualified for their first final since 2014. This has been a marvelous achievement for this group of players. Last year the season ended very disappointingly following a loss to St. Michaels in the championship. However, they have really picked it up and now find themselves in a final This will be in two weeks time against either St. Michaels or Na Piarsaigh