White’s Cross bowed out of the City Division Junior C Football Championship following an eight-point defeat to Lough Rovers under lights on the Carrigrohane Straight on Friday night.
Lough Rovers made the brighter start with the home side registering the first three points of the game through Shane Long and Jordan O’Connor. Though, in truth, neither team set the world on fire in the opening exchanges as we had to wait 10 minutes before we got the first score. Lough Rovers struck a crucial goal through Cian Leahy to establish a six-point lead, but White’s Cross responded well. A superb two-pointer from Patrick Harrington, followed by a point from Corey Cambridge and on a free from Donncha Murnane, left just two points between the sides at the break. The half-time score was White’s Cross 0-4, Lough Rovers 1-3.
White’s Cross continued to battle after the restart, with Harrington adding another point. Jamie Murphy came agonisingly close to putting White’s Cross in front when he beat two defenders before unleashing a powerful low shot that rebounded off the inside of the post. It was a pivotal moment, with the visitors unable to capitalise on the opportunity.
Lough Rovers gradually took control, adding a series of points before Diarmuid Ward struck their second goal to put the result beyond doubt. Harrington converted a late free, but the home side finished strongly to secure victory.
The final score was White’s Cross 0-6, Lough Rovers 2-8.
TEAMS
White’s Cross
1. James Buckley
2. Ethan Ryan
3. Richie Sherlock
4. Chris Dunne
5. Ronan Quain
6. Donncha Murnane (0-01 free)
7. Michael Mullins
8. Gearoid Fleming
9. Evan Quain
10. Luke Mullins
11. Patrick Harrington (0-04 – 1 x 2pt, 1 free)
12. Oscar O’Connell
13. Corey Cambridge (0-01)
14. Daniel Kelleher (Ballinvriskig)
15. Fionnan Quinlan
SUBS USED: James Royal, Jamie Murphy, Adam Dunne, Daniel Kelleher (Ballyphilip)
Lough Rovers
1 Dane Holland
2 Ivan King
3 Jeremiah Cronin
4 Eoin Downing
5 Diarmuid Ward
6 Gavin Duggan
7 Keelan Pierce
8 Jordan O’Connor (0-01)
9 Timothy McSweeney
10 Ryan Goldsmith
11 Cian Leahy (1-00)
12 Aaron Buckley (0-01)
13 Emmet Sheehan (0-01)
14 Dean Cummins (1-00)
15 Shane Long (0-05, 1 free)