In what turned out to be a most entertaining and thrilling encounter, a storming final ten minutes for Brian Dillons, in which they nailed four splendid points while holding their opponents scoreless, proved to be crucial in this well deserved victory. Playing their first Football game since 14th June, Brian Dillons can feel well pleased with their performance, even though they showed a bit of rustiness ,at times, they were in complete control at the finish, after surviving a strong test of their character from a determined Whites Cross side.

                 Brian Dillons faced into the strong breeze in the opening half-hour and went into the lead ,within a minute, when Cillian Brosnan set up the impressive Shane Maher for the opening point. In the third minute, Brian Dillons went further ahead when diminutive corner forward, Dave O"Leary, rounded his opponent and kicked over a fine point. However, Whites Cross signalled their determination when they scored a fine goal, after-five minutes, despite the great efforts of the Dillons "keeper, James Kirby, who got his fingers to a powerful shot ,but, just could not prevent it from crossing the line. Two minutes later, Brian Dillons were back on level terms ,thanks to a John Noonan point, and in the tenth minute of play, they were back in the lead when Shane Maher, who finished as top scorer, careered through the Whites Cross defence to plant the ball in the net.....1-3 to 1-1 ,in favour of Brian Dillons. The lead was increased to three points when the impressive Dave Cremin kicked over a splendid point, two minutes later, but, it was at this stage of the game, that Whites Cross enjoyed a period of dominance..Winning most of the kickouts, Whites Cross applied plenty of pressure on the Dillons defence and ,with three consecutive points, they were on level terms, 1-4 each after twenty minutes play. The Brian Dillons attack was not seeing much of the ball , at this stage, but, in a rare attack, Shane Maher kicked over a spectacular point from long range, after twenty two minutes, which pushed his side into the lead again. However, the Whites Cross dominance continued and with three further points, they raced into a two point lead, with two minutes remaining in the first half.  A great run forward by solid corner back, Andrew Murphy, who deftly passed the ball to Tomas Lawrence, who duly slotted over a point, in the final minute of the half, to leave Brian Dillons just one point adrift, 1-6 to 1-7, at the interval and turning to play with the stiff breeze behind them ,in the second half 

              The second half began with Brian Dillons, with a few astute positional switches, regaining control around midfield, and within three minutes, they had points from Cillian Brosnan (free) and Shane Maher ,which pushed them into a 1-8 to 1-7 lead. However, as in the opening minutes of the first half, Whites Cross dealt Brian Dillons a body blow when they goaled from the penalty spot, after four minutes of the second half. Another Whites Cross point followed ,two minutes later, which pushed them, 2-8 to 1-8 ahead. The character of the Brian Dillons side was now being tested to the full, and they responded in style. Points from Darren McGrath and Dave Cremin was followed by a terrific goal from Philip O"Brien, who was shrewdly introduced into the fray , a few minutes earlier, after a great assist from Dave O"Leary....2-10 to 2-8. Dave O"Leary was ,once again, on hand to set up Tomas Lawrence to score another Dillons point, 2-11 to 2-8, with fifteen minutes remaining. Whites Cross refused to surrender, however, and with three consecutive points, one from a free, they were back on level terms, 2-11 each, with ten minutes left in the game.  The Brian Dillons defence were in total control in those closing ten minutes and with midfielder, Darragh Brosnan, charging through the Whites Cross rearguard, at ease, he won a number of frees two of which were expertly converted by his ice cool brother, Cillian  Another point from the "flying" Philip O"Brien pushed Brian Dillons three points clear at the end of normal time and in the two minutes of additional time played, Brian Dillons continued to pressurise the Whites Cross defence, who conceded a "45 which was duly dispatched between the posts by Cillian Brosnan... 2-15 to 2-11 at the finish. Brian Dillons can now look forward to a semi-final meeting with the winners of the Passage\Delanys quarter-final tie. With the Brian Dillons Junior (A) Hurlers also through to the semi-final of the City Championship, the next few weeks are certainly going to be extremely exciting for ,both, players and supporters alike.  Scorers for Brian Dillons were; Shane Maher, 1-3 ; Philip O"Brien, 1-1; Cillian Brosnan, 0-4 (0-3 frees, 0-1 "45 );Tomas Lawrence, 0-2; Dave Cremin,0-2; John Noonan, Darren McGrath and Dave O"Leary, 0-1 each.   The Brian Dillons team lined out as follows; James Kirby; Andrew Murphy; Edmund Hussey; Michael Noonan;  Colm O"Connor; Cian McCarthy; Kevin Coughlan; Tomas Lawrence; Darragh Brosnan; John Noonan; Darren McGrath; Shane Maher; Dave Cremin; Cillian Brosnan; Dave O"Leary; Subs. Chris Daly  and Mark Walsh for Colm O"Connor and John Noonan (both 27 mins.); Philip O"Brien for Kevin Coughlan (40 mins.) Mark Buckley for Shane Maher (injured, 52 mins.).