Douglas secure JAFC semi-final spot with win over White's Cross

Douglas 2-15 (2-0-15) White’s Cross 0-15 (0-4-7)

Douglas have completed their group programme of the AOS Security Seandún Junior A Football Championship unbeaten, as they defeated White’s Cross, before a sizeable attendance at Ballinlough.

This result has seen Douglas book their place in the semi-finals. White’s Cross have a game against Whitechurch to decide who finishes second.

In a game which produced an evenly contested opening half, Douglas’ first goal from a penalty was to prove decisive, while White’s Cross landed four scores from outside the Douglas 40-metre arc, including one from a free.

Douglas raced into a three-point lead, courtesy of scores by Donnacha Reddington, Ryan O’Sullivan and Sean O’Leary.

White’s Cross opened their account when Dylan Burke landed the game’s first two-pointer. John McElhinney levelled matters with the game’s first pointed free.

Donnacha Reddington put Douglas back in front with a free, but Sean Delaney replied with a point from play. Conor Buckley converted a free, to give White’s Cross a 0-5 to 0-4 lead.

Entering the second quarter Douglas had White’s Cross pinned back as Sean O’Leary tied the scores with his second point.

Persistent fouling was proving to be costly for White’s Cross as Jamie O’Brien restored Douglas’ advantage with a pointed free.

Douglas were awarded a penalty from which O’Brien drilled home the game’s opening goal in the 22nd minute.

O’Brien and Billy Fraher each added points for Douglas. White’s Cross responded with Burke’s second two-pointer, followed by a pointed 45 by Eddie Coughaln. This left Douglas leading by 1-8 to 0-8 at the break.

White’s Cross got the first two scores of the second half, which included a two-pointer by Buckley.

Doulgas seized the initiative entering the final quarter as Sean O’Leary set up O’Brien for his second goal.

White’s Cross got the game’s fourth two-pointer, courtesy of a free by Buckley.

Scorers for Douglas: J O’Brien 2-4 (1-0 pen, 0-3f); C O’Keeffe 0-2 (0-1f); S O’Leary, B O’Sullivan 0-2 each; D Reddington 0-1f; B Fraher, C Reddington, E Collins, D Lenihan 0-1 each.

White’s Cross: C Buckley 0-6 (1 2pt f, 1 2pt, 0-2f); D Burke 0-4 (2 2pt); B O’Riordan 0-2; J McElhinney 0-1f: E Coughlan 0-1 45, S Delaney 0-1.

DOUGLAS: C O’Leary; K Hayes-Curtin, D O’Callaghan, N Lynch; A Young, J Cremin, E Kelly; D Reddington, C Reddington; R O’Sullivan, S O’Leary, H Quilligan; J O’Brien, C O’Keeffe, B Fraher.

Subs: G O’Sullivan for Kelly (29, inj), E Collins for Fraher (42), J Cunnigham for Quilligan, D Lenihan for Young (both 47), C O’Donoghue for Cremin (55).

WHITE'S CROSS: R Teahan; A Docherty, K Ryan, M O’Keeffe; S Quinlan, R Quinlan, D Burke; E Coughlan, B O’Riordan; PJ O’Donovan, S Delaney, S Whooley; B Quain, C Buckley, J McElhinney.

Subs: C Docherty for Quain (41), B Prendergast for S Quinlan (51), S Quinlan for Ryan (60+, inj).

Referee: David Daly (Brian Dillon’s).