Brian Dillons were crowned Cork County Junior (A) Hurling League Champions when they recorded an impressive, 0-20 to 1-10, victory over reigning champions, Cloughduv, in the 2013 final, which was played in Ballincollig on Friday evening, 29th November,2013. Following their win over  Blackrock in the City Division decider , two weeks ago, Brian Dillons ,once again, displayed sparkling form in this game which saw them finish their hurling season in style.

                        Played in ideal  conditions on a solid Ballincollig pitch, this game provided the sizeable attendance with an abundance of quality hurling on a cold winters night.  Brian Dillons, who had to start without their injured full-back, Danny Murphy, were quick off the blocks with a brace of points from John Horgan, one from a free and the other from a great pass from Philip O"Brien, in the opening two minutes. Cloughduv clawed one back with a pointed free ,after five minutes, and then, three minutes later, they rocked Brian Dillons, when they goaled, after a rare defensive error,which pushed them into a 1-1 to 0-2 lead. Brian Dillons responded from this setback with a classy Cian McCarthy point,after winning possession from the puckout.  Cillian Brosnan levelled the scores, three minutes later, when he nailed a long distance free and Brian Dillons were back in the lead, after nineteen minutes play, when John Horgan converted a close-in free...0-5 to 1-1. Two pointed frees had Cloughduv ahead ,again, after twenty two minutes but, it was shortlived, however,, as Brian Dillons had back to back points from Cian McCarthy, John Horgan (free) and a spectacular score from Dave Coughlan which pushed the City side, 0-8 to 1-3  with twenty four minutes gone. The Brian Dillons defence , who were well in control, conceded some silly frees which Cloughduv punished with points in the twenty seventh and twenty ninth minutes but, in the closing minutes of the half, John Horgan ,with two further points, one from a placed ball. ensured that Brian Dillons went into the half-time break with a 0-10 to 1-5 lead..

              Similar to what Brian Dillons did in the first half, Cloughduv began the second period with two quick points, one from a free, in the opening two minutes, which brought the teams level again. Brian Barrett, who was causing all sorts of problems for the Cloughduv defence,regained the lead for Brian Dillons, with a fine point, after five minutes of the second half, and another point from impressive full-forward, Dave Coughlan pushed his side ahead, 0-12 to 1-7, one minute later.    Cloughduv replied with another pointed free, after eight minutes but, another fine point ,from play, by John Horgan restored Brian Dillons two point advantage with twenty minutes left in the game.. One minute later, Cloughduv had it back to a one point game when they scored only their second point from play...0-13 to 1-9.   It was noticeable, at this stage of the game, that Brian Dillons were gaining a firm grip on the proceedings and they posted six consecutive points which gave them a seven point advantage as the finishing line beckoned. John Horgan helped himself to three points in a row, two from frees and the third from a wonderful assist by Brian Barrett , while Tomas Lawrence slotted over after good work by sub., Kevin Coughlan.  Cian McCarthy and John Noonan added points which left Brian Dillons leading 0-19 to 1-9 with six minutes remaining.. Cloughduv had the lead down to six with another point with two minutes left to which Brian Dillons replied with the final score of the game, with the brilliant, Cian McCarthy slotting over another point.... 0-20 to 1-10 at the finish..

             This was a deserved and welcome victory for Brian Dillons and was some consolation for their shock exit from this years Championship at the hands of Nemo Rangers. Andrew Murphy, in goal, gave another solid display between the posts with his blocking a Cloughduv 20 metre free in the first half the highlight. The full back line , unsettled from the enforced absence of regular full -back, Danny Murphy, had a shaky opening quarter but, recovered ,after a few positional switches, to finish in complete control. James Murphy had yet another outstanding outing while Daniel McCormick played his best hurling when moved to his usual half-back berth in the second half. Niall Fahy, was not comfortable when playing full-back ,in the opening half, but was back to his usual reliable form when switched to his usual corner back position in the second half. The half-back line was the strongest sector in the Brian Dillons team with team captain, Mark White, giving another intelligent display of centre back play, with his flankers. the Brosnan brothers, Cillian and Darragh, also outstanding. When moved to full back , in the second half, Darragh Brosnan, continued to play brilliantly, in what was a truly wonderful performance. The midfield pairing of Tomas Lawrence and Keith McCormick were , again, in splendid form while the half forward line of Brian Barrett, Cian McCarthy and John Horgan, who looks to have fully recovered from his groin injury, were in devastating form all through. Dave Coughlan had another highly impressive outing at full forward, with John Noonan and Philip O"Brien working tremendously hard in the corners.    Scorers for Brian Dillons were; John Horgan,0-10 (0-6 frees) Cian McCarthy,0-4; Dave Couhlan ,0-2; Cillian Brosnan (free), Tomas Lawrence, Brian Barrett and John Noonan , 0-1 each.;  The Brian Dillons team lined out as follows; Andrew Murphy; James Murphy; Niall Fahy; Daniel McCormick; Cillian Brosnan; Mark White; Darragh Brosnan; Tomas Lawrence; Keith McCormick; Brian Barrett; Cian McCarthy; John Horgan; John Noonan; Dave Coughlan; PhilipO"Brien  Subs; Kevin Coughlan for Philip O"Brien; Maurice Carey for Daniel McCormick and Dylan O"Donoghue for Niall Fahy (all second half..

              Cloughduv scorers were; Brian Ahern,0-5 (frees);Steven Downes 1-1; Darragh Ring, 0-4 (0-1 free);    Best for Cloughduv were midfielders, Ger Ahern and Donal Corkery and Brian Ahern, Steven Downes and Darragh Ring, in the forwards.