In a game that produced an amount of excellent hurling, Brian Dillons were leading by 0-10 to 1-5, when centre half back, Ken McCarthy was shown a red card for retaliation, just five minutes after the restart, Shortily after, Brian Dillons suffered two further setbacks when spirited half-back, James Varian and outstanding midfielder, Dave Cremin, had to retire injured.  Refusing to throw in the towel ,after those body blows, Brian Dillons continued to play defiantly and were well worth their five point winning margin , at the finish.

               Kevin Varian, who was in great form for Brian Dillons, finishing with 1-9 to his name, opened the scoring when he steered over a pointed free, in the first minute. Douglas took the lead, two minutes later when they got through for a goal, which was followed by a point , after twelve minutes play. Kevin Coughlan, after receiving the ball from Kevin Varian,  got a point back for Brian Dillons, one minute later,to which Douglas replied with a pointed free...1-2 to 0-2,at the end of the first quarter.  For the remainder of the first half, the two Kevins. Varian and Coughlan, went on a scoring spree, notching eight points between them while the tenacious defending of Brian Dillons, particularly ,the full back trio of Stephen Kearney, Derek McDonnell and Eoin Hennessy , allowed Douglas to score only two more points, which left Brian Dillons leading, 0-10 to 1-4, at the interval.

             Douglas opened the scoring ,in the second half, with a point , after two minutes play ,but, however, Brian Dillons scored a tonic of a goal, when Kevin Coughlan billowed the back of the net, in the fourth minute. A minute later came Ken McCarthy"s dismissal and Brian Dillons had a battle on their hands in trying to succeed ,a man short. Fortunately, Darren McGrath, who moved into the centre back position, proceeded to give an outstanding display for the remainder of the game. Douglas pointed the free,given away by Ken McCarthys retaliation but, Tommy Boland, after receiving a pass from Philip O"Brien, restored Brian Dillons five point advantage, after seven minutes of the second half. Then, followed the injuries to James Varian and Dave Cremin and Brian Dillons mettle was surely going to be tested for the remainder of the game.   Andrew Murphy got a tonic of a solo goal, in the eight minute of the second half, which gave Brian Dillons the cushion of a 2-11 to 1-6 lead. The Douglas response was instant ,with a quick point, followed by a goal, which left them trailing, 2-11 to 2-7, after ten minutes of the second half. However, Kevin Varian continued to torment the Douglas defence , hitting over three consecutive points, two from placed balls, to push Brian Dillons ahead, 2-14 to 2-7,with fifteen minutes remaining. Two points in a row, from placed balls, helped Douglas to narrow the gap to five points ,which was up to six when the elegant Philip O"Brien pointed for Brian Dillons, with nine minutes remaining.. Visibly tiring , from being a man short, Brian Dillons were under severe pressure in the closing minutes of the game and Douglas, with three points in a row, left them trailing, 2-15 to 2-12, with five minutes left in the game. However, the game was put beyond their reach, when that man, again, Kevin Varian, charged through to plant the ball in the back of the net for a great third Brian Dillons goal. Douglas got the last score of the game with an injury time point, but ,Brian Dillons had secured the League points on a 3-15 to 2-13 scoreline.      Scorers for Brian Dillons were; Kevin Varian, 1-9 (0-5 frees); Kevin Coughlan, 1-4; Andrew Murphy, 1-1;and Tommy Boland,0-1. The Brian Dillons team lined out as follows; James Murphy; Stephen Kearney; Derek McDonnell; Eoin Hennessy; Darren McGrath; Ken McCarthy;James Varian; Philip O"Brien; Dave Cremin; Kevin Varian; Stephen Kelly; Kevin Coughlan; Seanie O"Dwyer; Tommy Boland; and Dave Coughlan.; Subs; Andrew Murphy for Seanie O"Dwyer (half-time) Kyle Corcoran for James Varian(35mins); Ciarain Kelleher for Dave Cremin (35mins.) Stephen Coughlan for Tommy Boland (55 mins.)