White’s Cross booked their place in the final of the City Division Junior 4 Football League after an impressive 2-13 to 2-5 semi-final victory over Glanmire on Monday evening in White’s Cross. It was the second meeting of the sides in the space of three weeks, with White’s Cross having also come out on top in their previous encounter, and they once again proved too strong with an excellent all-round display.
Played in ideal conditions, White’s Cross showed their intent from the outset with some excellent attacking football, moving the ball at pace and creating several scoring chances through sharp interplay and sweeping team moves. Despite this bright start, Glanmire struck first when Chris O’Keeffe converted a penalty after six minutes.
White’s Cross responded well. Sean Twomey opened their account from play before Murt Kelleher added a free. Glanmire edged ahead again with a point from Sean Conroy and another O’Keeffe free, but White’s Cross continued to play the better football. Their reward came midway through the half when Sean Delaney coolly slotted home a penalty after strong attacking pressure.
Twomey and Delaney added further points as White’s Cross began to dominate possession, but Glanmire stayed in touch and hit the net for a second time through Luke Considine. White’s Cross finished the half strongly with scores from Delaney and Murt Kelleher to leave the sides level at the break on 1-7 to 2-4.
The second half belonged entirely to White’s Cross. Evan Quain got the scoreboard moving before substitute Edwin Buckley made an instant impact, landing an excellent two-point free shortly after his introduction. Twomey continued to cause problems for the Glanmire defence and added another point before Buckley followed up with a point from play and a free.
The decisive moment arrived when Twomey finished brilliantly to the net after another flowing move, sealing White’s Cross’ place in the final.
It was a superb team performance, with great to see Michael Osborne, James Royal and Gearóid Flemming back in action — three experienced players who will add real strength to the panel heading into the final.
White’s Cross
1 – James Buckley
2 – Ethan Ryan
3 – Ronan Quain
4 – Richie Sherlock
5 – Chris Dunne
6 – Aidan Docherty
7 – Luke Murphy
8 – Murt Kelleher
9 – Daniel Kelleher
10 – Sean Twomey
11 – Sean Delaney
12 – Luke Mullins
13 – Evan Quain
14 – Patrick Harrington
15 – Fionnan Quinlan
Glanmire
1 – Redmond Dennehy
2 – Daithi O Regan
3 – Gavin Murray
4 – Kieran Quirke
5 – Ethan Boyle
6 – Sean Conroy
7 – Howard O Connor
8 – Conor O Mahony
9 – Ciaran Wharton
10 – Bryan Tephany
11 – Chris O Keeffe
12 – Mathew Burke
13 – Luke Considine
14 – Joe Sparrow
15 – Sean Delaney