Just three days after their traumatic defeat in the County Championship final, an understrength Brian Dillons Junior (A) Hurling team

 went under to Sarsfields in the semi- final of the County Junior (A) Hurling League, which was played in Pairc Diolunaigh on Wednesday evening, 7th November, 2012.  The final score was; Sarsfields, 0-14, Brian Dillons, 0-11.

             Fielding without Maurice Carey (injured), Cillian Brosnan (working), Brian Barrett (injured ), John Horgan (injured), Darragh Rodgers,

 (injured ) and Kevin Coughlan (working ) from their County Championship final defeat to Kildorrery ,the previous Sunday, this was always going to be a difficult assignment for the weakened Brian Dillons side.  Truth to tell, this was a game Brian Dillons could have won if they had been more accurate in their shooting. A total of twelve wides were chalked up, compared to four for Sars, and many of them from very scoreable positions.  Regular free taker, John Horgan, was a huge loss as many of the frees awarded to Brian Dillons, which were wasted, were well within his range and to add to our woes , the Sarsfields free taker was impeccable in his shooting, putting over seven points from placed balls. It certainly confirmed how important a good free taker is in modern day hurling.

        Sarsfields led at the interval, 0-10 to 0-5, and had increased their lead with another pointed free in the opening minute of the second half ,before Brian Dillons had three bad wides, which should have been scores.   With the Brian Dillons defence now in complete control the Sarsfields scoring chances diminished and their lead was cut to the minimum with time running out. When it looked like Brian Dillons would force the game into extra time, Sars struck for two late points which gave them a three point victory at the finish, 0-14 to 0-11.

       As already mentioned, the Brian Dillons defence can hold their heads up high, as they were dependable all through with full-back, Danny Murphy, adding to his growing reputation as a first class defender.  Tomas Lawrence was a huge loss to Brian Dillons, at midfield, as he had to retire at the interval with a stomach ache while Cian McCarthy, Philip O"Brien, Andrew Murphy and sub; James Murphy did well  in a disappointing forward division.

          Scorers for Brian Dillons were; Dave Coughlan,0-3 (frees); Andrew Murphy, 0-2; Martin Corbett,0-2 (0-1 free); Philip O"Brien, 0-1; Cian McCarthy,0-1; James Murphy,0-1; and Darragh Brosnan, 0-1;

          The Brian Dillons team lined out as follows; (1) Tom Triggs; (2) Niall Fahy; (3) Danny Murphy; (4) Michael Noonan; (5) Daniel McCormick; (6) Mark White ;(7) Darragh Brosnan; (8) Tomas Lawrence; (9) Martin Corbett; (10) Keith McCormick; (11) Cian McCarthy; (12) Philip O"Brien; (13) John Noonan; (14) Dave Coughlan; (15) Andrew Murphy;  Subs;  Shane Maher for Tomas Lawrence (half-time); James Murphy for Dave Coughlan (40 mins); Dylan O"Donoghue for Keith McCormick (50 mins.)