The Brian Dillons Minor Hurlers bowed out of the 2012 Rebel Og County Premier (2) Minor Hurling Championship when they went under to Carrigtwohill on a 1-16 to 0-11 scoreline ,at the C.I.T.Complex on Thursday evening, 9th August,2012.

              Forced to line out without three of their star performers from the previous Championship encounter with Sliabh Ruadh, the understrenght Brian Dillons team put up a brave performance against a stronger looking Carrigtwohill fifteen. Minus James O"Shea (suspended), Darren McGrath and Michael Peters (both on holidays),  Brian Dillons got off to a disastrous start in this game when Carrigtwohill goaled in their very first attack after just twenty seconds.  The East Cork side followed with a point after four minutes and it looked at this early stage that Brian Dillons were in for a drubbing.    However, Brian Dillons ,displaying all the fighting qualities that they showed against Sliabh Ruadh, opened their scoring with a fifth minute pointed free,from Kevin Coughlan and the same player added a similar score ,a minute later,after a good assist from Kevin Allen.    Carrigtwohill had plenty of more dangerous forwards than the inexperienced young Brian Dillons sextet and they added seven more first half points to which the Brian Dillons side responded with a point each from Kevin Coughlan,easily the best Dillons forward, and excellent mid-fielder, Keith McCormick, which left fhe half-time score read, Carrigtwohill, 1-8, Brian Dillons,0-4.

            The second -half scoring began with another fine Kevin Coughlan point for Brian Dillons,in the 31st minute, to which Carrigtwohill replied with four points in a row to push them ahead, 1-12 to 0-5, after 36 minutes. Again, the Brian Dillons side refused to surrender without a battle and five unanswered points between the 36th and 45th minute brought them within five points of Carrigtwohill , 1-12 to 0-10. A nasty hand injury to powerful half-back,, Mark Gleeson did not help Brian Dillons cause ,at this stage, as he was a virtual passenger before he was eventually replaced. Star forward, Kevin Coughlan,was forced to move back to the half- back line which took the scoring threat out of the Dillons attack despite the valiant efforts of  Cian O"Callaghan, Eric O"Donoghue and Kieran Delaney. Carrigtwohill regained the iniatitive in the closing ten minutes ,adding a further four points to Brian Dillons one , to emerge winners by an eight point margin, 1-16 to 0-11. Brian Dillons applied plenty of pressure in the closing three minutes in search of a consolation goal but were denied by an excellent save by the Carrigtwohill "keeper..

        Defenders, David Gillen, Stephen Kearney, Jack Maguire,Mark Gleeson and Dylan O"Donoghue can feel well pleased with their performances for Brian Dillons, on this occasion while midfielders Keith McCormick and Kevin Allen were outstanding , with Kevin Coughlan adding to his growing reputation as a top scoring attacker.

           Great credit is due to Minor Team Manager, Billy Cashman, and selectors, Ger Allen, Alan O" Farrell and Jamesy Corcoran for their efforts with this team for the last two years.

             Scorers against Carrigtwohill were; Kevin Coughlan,0-7,(0-3 frees. 0-1 "65 ); Keith McCormick,0-2; Eric O"Donoghue and Kieran Delaney,0-1 each;

               The Brian Dillons team lined out as follows; (1) Shane Corcoran; (2) David Gillen; (3) Dale O"Neill;(4) Jack Maguire; (5) Mark Gleeson; (6) Dylan O"Donoghue;(7) Stephen Kearney;(8) Keith McCormick; (9) Kevin Allen; (10) Eric O"Donoghue;(11) Cian O"Callaghan; (12) Kevin Coughlan; (13) Adam Cotter; (14) Kieran Delaney; (15) Timmy O"Sullivan;   Subs; John Kenny for Timmy O"Sullivan ;(39 mins.)

 Ryan Burns for Mark Gleeson, (injured,55 mins.).