Victory for Cross

JUNIOR 1 FOOTBALL LEAGUE White’s Cross 2-10 Nemo Rangers 0-07

White’s Cross put in one of their best performances in quite some time to defeat Nemo Rangers by 9 points in the City Division Junior 1 Football League in a game played in Trabeg on Wednesday night last week. Nemo had a strong team out and started the brighter and did most of the early running. They were rewarded with a two point lead after 6 minutes. Luke Kelleher kicked White’s Cross first point a minute later and then after an eight minute period without a score, it was the same player than equalised on the 15th minute mark. Stephen Whooley was having a fine game in his new position of wingback and on 18th minutes he found himself in his usual position closer to goal to kick a comfortable point. Luke Kelleher kicked his third point from play in the opening half when he slotted over after 20 minutes after Nemo had equalised. Dylan Burke kicked a point from a free and Fiachra O’Connell kicked another point just before the break to ensure White’s Cross lead 0-06 to 0-04. A number of bad wides and goal-line clearance from Nemo ensured that this lead was not bigger.

The second half saw White’s Cross dominate completely. Sean Delaney played his first ever Junior A game for the club and capped a fine performance with two well taken scores; the second in particular was quality point as Delaney set off on a run, sold his opponent a clever dummy before driving the ball over the bar. Ruairi Quinlan scored a good goal from inside the box while Stephen Whooley clinically dispatched his penalty.

As good as the goals were, a significant feature of the second half were the goals that were not scored.

White’s Cross failed to take at least another three clear-cut goal chances. On this night, it did not matter but could be a problem going forward. One should not dwell on this negative, however, as White’s Cross were the much better side and this was a positive performance. Anytime you beat Nemo by 9 points should be considered a good night.

Team: Rory Teehan, Senan Ryan, Barry Prendergast, Max Philpott, Stephen Whooley (1-01, penalty goal), Gearoid Fleming, Dylan Burke (0-02), Kilian Ryan, Harry Coughlan, Seamus Quinlan, Luke Kelleher (0-03), Fiachra O’Connell (0-01), Daniel Kelleher, Tom Casey (0-01), Ruairi Quinlan (1-00). Sub Sean Delaney (0-02), Luke Murphy and Cathal Quinlan.

JUNIOR 1 FOOTBALL LEAGUE White’s Cross 3-08 Passage 3-12

Following a great win over Nemo Rangers the previous Wednesday, they were unable to follow up with a home victory against Passage on Sunday last. The performance was good all through and there was little between the sides. One of the failings from the previous victory, that of missed goal chances, raised its head again.

To be fair, the Passage net minder was in superb form as he thwarted White’s Cross on many occasions throughout the game even though we did manage to convert three goal chances. Ultimately though it was not enough and we went down by 4 points.

U15 C3 FOOTBALL LEAGUE St Colmcilles 3-15 Midleton 1-03

Colmcilles enjoyed a comfortable victory over Midleton in this U15 Football League encounter played in White’s Cross on Sunday, 28th April. The home side were straight out of the blocks and early points from Tom O’Sullivan and Fachtna Kelleher were recorded. In fact this pair accounted for the first goal and eight points in the game. These are two very talented footballers who a day previously had travelled to play Offaly as part of a Cork development squad. In a rare foray up field Midleton got a goal of their own after 18 minutes. However, Colmcilles very much asserted their dominance again and this time other players got in on the scoring act with Cillian Burns (two), Dylan Manley, Alex Sheehan and Dara O’Driscoll all getting on the scoresheet before half-time, leaving their side winning on a scoreline of 1-14 to 1-00.

Midleton to their credit came out battling after half-time and it was they that kicked the first three points of the half. In fact they also kept the homeside scoreless in the third quarter; a significant achievement given their dominance in the opening half.

Evan O’Leary did kick a fine point in the 18th minute. Fachtna Kelleher and Cillian Burns got goals in the 19th and 23rd minutes respectively. Though they were well finished, the nature of these goals did suck the life out of the Midleton fightback and what remained of the game as it sauntered towards its conclusion.

Team: Ronán Aherne, Alan Murphy, Charlie Horgan, Martin Cotter, Dylan Manley, Alex Sheehan (0-01), Joe Aitken, Tom O’Sullivan (0-05, 0-01 frees), Dara O’Driscoll (0-01), Fachtna Kelleher (2-04, 0-01 frees), Cathal Geaney, Josh Varley, Evan O’Leary (0-01), Cillian Burns (1-02). Subs: Joe Arrigan, Tadhg Harden, Harry Varley, Rory Dunlea.