The Brian Dillons Junior (B) Hurlers concluded their 2012 season in style when they captured the City Division ( Junior Hurling 2 ) Craobh Ruadh Cup with a 2-9 to 0-14 victory over Whitechurch in an exciting final, which was played in Pairc Diolunaigh,on Sunday morning, 2nd December,2012. Having already being crowned Junior (2) Hurling League Champions the previous Monday,evening with a facile win over Lough Rovers, this latest victory completes what has been a wonderful season for the clubs second string.. Sundays game proved to be a thrilling encounter from start to finish with the players coping admirably with the extremely difficult underfoot conditions. Brian Dillons began confidently and in their very first attack Kevin Varian pointed ,after being set-up by Mark Buckley, after just thirty seconds play. Whitechurch levelled matters in the third minute and then both sides traded points in what was proving to be an extremely close ,tough and entertaining encounter. However, in the 25th minute of the opening half, Whitechurch ,with two points in a row,held a three point lead, the biggest gap between the sides since the game began, 0-7 to 0-4. Scores were level again, three minutes later, when the diminutive Brian Dillons right corner forward, Mark Buckley, scored a goal of pure class when he first timed the ball to the back of the Whitechurch net after receiving an excellent delivery from midfielder, Shane Maher. Deep into added time of the first half, Whitechurch pointed to regain the lead, which left the half-time score reading; Whitechurch, 0-8; Brian Dillons, 1-4. The second half scoring began with Whitechurch pointing a free in the first minute but, then , Brian Dillons began to find their rhythm and , with three points in a row, were back in the lead, 1-7 to 0-9, after five minutes play.. The game was now proving to be a ding dong struggle and ,after eight minutes, Whitechurch were ahead again with two consecutive points, 0-11 to 1-7. Mark Buckley struck for his second goal to push Brian Dillons ahead after ten minutes, 2-7 to 0-11, but, however, Whitechurch had a point, a minute later, to leave the minimum between the sides. With the ground conditions deteriorating, scoring was becoming extremely difficult, and when James Horgan struck over two pointed frees for Brian Dillons, there were three points between the teams after twenty three minutes of the second half.. Whitechurch were not finished yet, though, and two late pointed frees, left Brian Dillons clinging on to a one point lead. which they maintained to the final whistle. Another great victory for the Brian Dillons second string and once,again, the excellent balance of experience and youthful exuberance was the key factor in this recent triumph. Goalkeeper, John O"Herlihy was, once again ,most reliable ,chalking up yet another clean sheet.. An early hand injury which forced Keith Burns to retire, unsettled the full-back line for a period in the first half but stability was restored again, in the second half, with Derek McDonnell, once again, outstanding. James Murphy, Darren McGrath and Cian Crowley formed an impregnable half-back line, once again with youngsters, James O"Shea and Shane Maher forming a brilliant mid-field partnership. The soft underfoot ground conditions made life difficult for the Brian Dillons forwards, but, Mark Buckley despite shipping some hard hits, James Horgan, Tommy Boland and Kevin Varian managed to pilfer some fine scores. Scorers for Brian Dillons were; Mark Buckley,2-0; James Horgan, 0-5 (frees); Kevin Varian, 0-2; Tommy Boland,0-1; and James O"Shea,0-1 ("65) ; Team; (1) John O"Herlihy; (2) Stephen Kearney; (3) Derek McDonnell ; (4) Keith Burns ;(5) James Murphy; (6) Darren McGrath ;(7) Cian Crowley; (8) James O"Shea; (9) Shane Maher ;(10) Dave Whelan; (11) James Horgan (Captain); (12) Tommy Boland; (13) Mark Buckley; (14) Donagh McCarthy; (15) Kevin Varian; Subs; James Varian for Keith Burns (2 mins.); Damian Horgan for Stephen Kearney ( 25 mins;) Mark Horgan for James Varian (45 mins;) |
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