The Brian Dillons Junior (A) Hurlers remain at the top of the City Division Junior (1) Hurling League table as a result of their ,2-22 to 3-15 victory over St.Finbarrs ,which was played in Togher on Friday evening, 28th June, 2013.

                 Although victory was achieved in the end, the performance of the Brian Dillons team must be a cause of concern for the team management. Just like they did in their recent Championship win over Douglas, a big lead was lost in the closing quarter of the game and it is mystifying  that when a comfortable victory looks a certainty, the foot is taken off the pedal which allows the opposition back into the game.

            Playing against  a strong,blustery breeze in the opening half, Brian Dillons were fast out of the blocks and after five minutes play, they were 1-3 to nil ahead with the goal coming from lively corner forward, John Noonan. The "Barrs scored their first goal after thirteen minutes play which left them narrowly trailing, 1-4 to 1-2. For the remainder of the first half ,points were exchanged and at half -time Brian Dillons were in a good position leading by 1-11 to 1-8, and having the advantage of the strong breeze behind them in the second half.

          Brian Dillons, as they did in the opening half, began the second period in devastating style ,scoring 1-4, without reply, the goal ,a beauty from the diminutive Mark Buckley, to put them ahead 2-15 to 1-8 , after ten minutes. It was at this stage of the game that Brian Dillons seemed to relax and their play became rather flat, which allowed the hungrier "Barrs side back into the game. The second "Barrs goal came after twenty one miinutes which left them trailing ,2-16 to 2-12.  Points by John Horgan and Tomas Lawrence ,in the next two minutes, pushed Brian Dillons six points clear but, the "Barrs responded with two points of their own, 2-18 to 2-14 with just four minutes remaining. Then in the 28th minute of the second half, when the Brian Dillons defence looked in command of the situation, the ball ran loose and was quickly slammed to the net to leave the "Barrs behind by the minimum, 2-18 to 3-14. As he did so often in the past, up stepped John Horgan to push Brian Dillons into calmer waters with four glorious points, two from placed balls, in the closing two minutes of normal time plus one minute of additional time, to which the "Barrs reply was a pointed free to leave the full-time score; Brian Dillons,2-22; St.Finbarrs, 3-15

       Scorers for Brian Dillons were; John Horgan, 0-10 (0-7 frees ); John Noonan ,1-2; Tomas Lawrence, 0-4; Mark Buckley,1-1; Dave Coughlan ,0-2; Niall O"Sullivan, Keith McCormick, and Darragh Brosnan, 0-1 each.