White's Cross capture the Seandún Junior C Football championship with big win over Lough Rovers

White’s Cross 0-10

Lough Rovers 0-6

White’s Cross were crowned AOS Security Seandún Junior C Football champions as they defeated Lough Rovers in the decider before a sizeable attendance at Ballinlough.

In a relatively low-scoring contest, Lough Rovers created several goal-scoring opportunities, but the White’s Cross defence held firm. 

Lough Rovers also had to wait until the 23rd minute to register a single score. 

In the opening half, White’s Cross converted four frees, while the second half was more open as both sides got three points each from play.

Ronan Healy gave White’s Cross the lead in the fourth minute with a point from play.

A combination of wayward kick-outs and persistent fouling were proving to be costly for Lough Rovers as Edwin Buckley slotted over two pointed frees in the space of a minute, to give White’s Cross a three-point advantage.

Lough Rovers began to turn the screw, but solid defensive work by White’s Cross denied them two goal-scoring opportunities.

Lough Rovers found themselves on the defensive entering the second quarter, as Edwin Buckley converted his third free from the Lough Rovers 13-metre line.

Wayward shooting continued to be Lough Rovers undoing, before Aaron Broderick opened their account with a point from play.

Edwin Buckley tagged on two points including a free for White’s Cross. Ben Lynch replied with a pointed free for Lough Rovers, as White’s Cross led 0-6 to 0-2 at half-time.

White’s Cross continued to have Lough Rovers pinned back on the resumption, as Shane Cahill and Brendan Quain each added points from play.

Lynch slotted over his second free for Lough Rovers and Edwin Buckley replied with a point from play for White’s Cross.

Entering the final quarter, Broderick tagged on a point from play for Lough Rovers and Edwin Buckley converted his fifth free. 

Lough Rovers also missed another goal-scoring opportunity in this period, as White’s Cross net-minder Murt Kelleher pulled off a spectacular save.

In stoppage time, Lough Rovers had two unanswered points from Broderick and Cian Allen.

Scorers for White’s Cross: E Buckley 0-7 (0-5f); S Cahill, R Healy, B Quain 0-1 each.

Lough Rovers: A Broderick 0-3; B Lynch 0-2f, C Allen 0-1.

White’s Cross: M Kelleher; L Murphy, D O’Sullivan, R Sherlock; R Quain, D Murnane, C Manning; D Kelleher, A Docherty; B O’Riordan, B Quain, P Harrington; R Healy, S Cahill, E Buckley.

Subs: M O’Keeffe for D Kelleher (40), J McElhinney for Harringotn (52), J Buckley for Cahill, F Quinlan for R Quain (both 60+).

Lough Rovers: J O’Connor; R Corcoran, H Phelan, A Raymond; A Broderick, R Shine, R Goldsmith; C Allen, B Lynch; A Greaney, I Raymond, M O’Sullivan; K Murphy, D Holland, A Buckley.

Subs: N O’Sullivan for M O’Sulllivan, D Arundel for Greaney (both h/t), D Hodnett for A Buckley (40).

Referee: Peter Finnegan (Douglas).