Glanmire crowned AOS Security Seandún Junior A Football League champions after win over near neighbours White’s Cross

Glanmire 2-12 (2-1-10)

White’s Cross 0-10 (0-1-8).

Glanmire were crowned AOS Security Seandún Junior A Football League champions, as they defeated near neighbours White’s Cross in the decider, before a god-sized attendance at Ballinlough on Saturday.

While Glanmire’s two goals in the game’s opening minutes were to prove to be the difference between the sides, White’s Cross, to their credit, did create goal scoring opportunities, but Glanmire’s defence held firm.

Glanmire raced into a two-goal lead within two minutes of the throw-in. Kieran Kenneally won possession from the start and he sent Rory McCarthy on a solo run for the game’s opening goal.

Glanmire’s second goal came in the second minute when Harry Jones set up Naoise Marron.

Wayward kick-outs were proving to be costly for White’s Cross and David Lynch slotted over the game’s first point for Glanmire.

White’s Cross began to get to grips with the game, and they opened their account in the fourth minute when John McElhinney converted the game’s first free. 

Two minutes later, McElhinney added his first point from play, before White’s Cross found themselves on the back foot.

Marron, Lynch and James Murphy each tagged on unanswered points for Glanmire, to leave their side leading 2-4 to 0-2.

White’s Cross responded with a point from play by Ronan Healy and this was followed by McElhinney’s second pointed free.

Glanmire had White’s Cross back on the defensive approaching the second quarter as Rory McCarthy and Marron each tagged on unanswered points from play.

White’s Cross outscored Glanmire by two points to one, courtesy of a brace of points by Conor Docherty. 

Harry Jones replied for Glanmire, as the half-time scoreline read 2-7 to 0-6 in favour of Glanmire.

Glanmire’s David McCarthy got the first score of a relatively low-scoring second half, when he converted a free from outside the White’s Cross 40-metre arc, within a minute of the restart. 

Conor Docherty responded with a two-pointer from a free, seven minutes later.

Glanmire’s Jones and Stephen Whooley of White’s Cross each traded points from play, before White’s Cross seized the initiative.

White’s Cross had Glanmire pinned back approaching the final quarter, but a combination of spectacular saves by Glanmire net-minder Timmy O’Donoghue and solid defensive work by the Glanmire backs were to prevent White’s Cross from putting scores on the board.

James Crowley tagged on a point from play for Glanmire and Colin Kingston converted a 45. PJ O’Donovan replied for White’s Cross, before the final whistle was greeted with jubilant scenes by the Glanmire supporters.

Scorers for Glanmire: R McCarthy, N Marron 1-1 each; D Lynch 0-3; H Jones 0-2; D McCarthy 0-2 (1 2pt f); C Kingston 0-1 (45), J Crowley, J Murphy 0-1.

White’s Cross: C Docherty 0-4 (1 2pt f); J McElhinney 0-3 (0-2f); R Healy, S Whooley, PJ O’Donovan 0-1 each.

Glanmire: T O’Donoghue; C Ó Corcora, J Kelleher, B Kelleher; S Crowe, O Kelleher, D Lynch ; K Kenneally, A Roche; D McCarthy, J Murphy, K Crowe; N Marron, R McCarthy, H Jones.

Subs: J Kingston for Marron, J Crowley for D McCarthy (both 42), J O’Sullivan for S Crowe, B Crehan for K Crowe, C Kingston for Lynch (all 53).

White’s Cross: R Teahan; S Ryan, R Quain, A Docherty; S Whooley, R Healy; R Quinlan, B Prendergast; C Quinlan, PJ O’Donovan, J McElhinney; S Delaney, C Docherty, B Quain.

Subs: L Murphy for R Quain (52), M Kelleher for C Quinlan, P Harrington for B Quain (both 56).

Referee: Peter Finnegan (Douglas).