Fielding a very much depleted team, due to injuries, work committments, etc, the Brian Dillons Junior (A) Hurlers were most unlucky to suffer a narrow one point defeat to Na Piarsaigh in the semi-final of the City Division Junior Hurling League (1) at Pairc Diolunaigh on Friday evening, 16th November, 2012. The final score, according to the referee, was Na Piarsaigh, 1-10; Brian Dillons, 0-12;, but, however, many observers , at the game, including the scoreboard operator had  Na Piarsaigh"s total as only 1-9.

                Forced to lineout minus Maurice Carey, John Horgan, Darragh Rodgers, Tomas Lawrence, Cian McCarthy, Kevin Coughlan and Martin Corbett, this game was always going to be a difficult assignment. However, early points by Keith McCormick and Cillian Brosnan helped Brian Dillons to race into a 0-5 to nil lead before Na Piarsaigh had their first point after 17 minutes. Both teams added two more points each to leave Brian Dillons ahead, 0-7 to 0-3, at the interval.

            Philip O" Brien pushed Brian Dillons further ahead with a classy point in the first minute of the second-half before Na Piarsaigh narrowed the gap with two points in the next two minutes. Further points by Keith McCormick and Cillian Brosnan restored Brian Dillons five point advantage after ten minutes of the second- half. That advantage was down to four points, when Na Piarsaigh pointed, in the twelfth minute before Brian Dillons were unlucky not to goal when Keith McCormick"s first time strike at an unguarded Na Piarsaigh net hit the upright and the chance was lost. Worse was to follow for Brian Dillons when,one minute later, Na Piarsaigh got their goal with a ground strike through a crowded Brian Dillons goalmouth which left the bare minumum between the sides. In the fifteenth minute of the second-half, Na Piarsaigh pointed to bring them on level terms, 0-10 to 1-7, and it was at this stage that the mystery extra Na Piarsaigh point controversly surfaced. After a short consultation with one of his umpires, the referee deemed that Na Piarsaigh had scored 1-8, and the scoreboard operator was instructed to add another point to what was displayed on the scoreboard.  Bizarre !

          Both sides added two further points each before the final whistle which had Na Piarsaigh ahead by the "mystery" point which the referee had incredibly awarded them.    It was unfortunate that the Brian Dillons team had suffered their first defeat in the City Division competitions of 2012 in this most unsatisfactory and highly controversial manner.  The defenders can feel well proud of their performances in this game with Mark White, in particular, producing an absolutely stunning display. Cillian Brosnan worked tremendously hard, at midfield,hitting three excellent points from play as well as adding another four from placed balls.  Keith McCormick ,playing only his second game in the full-forward position, again impressed and helped himself to three splendid points, but, once again the lack of scoring ability was evident in the attack.

       Next up for the Brian Dillons team, who have played three games since their County final defeat,last Sunday week, is the semi-final of the McCurtain Cup against Glen Rovers which is fixed for Sunday, 25th November, in Pairc Diolunaigh.

          Scorers for Brian Dillons in the Na Piarsaigh game were; Cillian Brosnan, 0-7,(0-3 frees, 0-1 "65 ); Keith McCormick, 0-3; Philip O"Brien, 0-1; and John Noonan, 0-1;

       The Brian Dillons team lined out as follows; (1) Tom Triggs; (2) Niall Fahy; (3) Danny Murphy ;(4) Dylan O"Donoghue;(5) Daniel McCormick; (6) Mark White; (7) Darragh Brosnan; (8) Cillian Brosnan; (9) Michael Noonan; (10) Dave Coughlan; (11) Brian Barrett ;(12) Philip O"Brien; (13) Andrew Murphy; (14) Keith McCormick; (15) John Noonan;