Big Joe's goal sets up Whitecross win

SOUTH ARMAGH 'B' LEAGUE FINAL

BIG JOE'S GOAL SETS UP WHITECROSS WIN IN FINAL
Whitecross 1-10
St Michael's 0-08

A goal in the 10th minute of the second half by Big Joe O'Callaghan set up Whitecross for victory over St Michael's in the South Armagh Division Two 'B' League final at Oliver Plunkett Park, Crossmaglen, on Sunday morning when they finished in front by a margin of five points to collect the John Boyle Cup.

After a somewhat tentative start from both sides it was not until the 7th minute before Niall Boyle opening the scoring with a point for Whitecross.

Paul Mackin added two further points in the 12th and 16th minutes to put Whitecross three ahead before St Michael's registered their first score with a point from play in the 17th minute.
The Newtown men added three further points without response to lead by a point in the 27th minute.

Just a minute before the half-time whistle sounded Paul Mackin grabbed a point for Whitecross to bring the sides on level terms 0-5 apiece at the interval.

Whitecross half-back, Eamonn Reavey, scored his customary point in the first minute of the second period to which St Michael's responded with a similar score to bring the sides level for the second and last time in this game.

In the 10th minute the game suddenly changed when Joe O'Callaghan gained possession and from just outside the 20 metre line Big Joe delicately lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give his side a firm grip on proceedings. No doubt the gentle giants dancing lessons played a part in this major score.

Points from a Sean Moley free kick and one from play from the boot of team captain, Dermot Boyle, increased the Whitecross lead to five points.

Midway through the half St Michaels pulled one back with a point from play but the Whitecross men had the scent of victory in their nostrils and were not going to be denied and a brace of points from Niall Og Boyle emphasised that fact.

Two points from free kicks were the only response from St Michael's as Niall Boyle posted over his fourth and his side's tenth point which along with Big Joe's gem of a goal sealed this five point win for the St Killian's side.

After the game the South Board Chairman, Sean Reavey, after thanking the referee and his officials, the Crossmaglen club for hosting the final and both sides on an excellent sporting game of football presented the John Boyle Cup to the Whitecross captain Dermot Boyle.

St Michael's were magnanimous in defeat and their manager, Sean Quinn, congratulating the winners on their victory which was very much appreciated by the Whitecross players.
This game brought the curtain down on the South Board's on-field activities for the season. The result of which saw Whitecross collect the John Boyle Cup as winners of Division Two of the South Armagh 'B' League to go along with the Patsy Nugent Cup which they won as All-County League Division Two winners and promotion to the top Division.

Whilst St Michael's had a disappointing League campaign which saw them drop to Division Three of the All-County League they still managed to collect the Atty Hearty Cup as winners of the Intermediate Championship and entry into the senior ranks for next season.

I congratulate the team and their manager, Seamus McParland, who in his first year at the helm as manager has managed to steer them to this League final win.

Scorers for Whitecross were Niall Boyle (0-4), Joe O'Callaghan (1-0), Paul Mackin (0-3), Eamonn Reavey (0-1), Sean Moley (0-1), and Dermot Boyle (0-1).

Whitecross: Ruairí McKeown; Stephen O'Hare, Brian McKeown, Shane McSherry; Eamonn Reavey, Darren Cunningham, Tomas Malone; Joe O'Callaghan, Dermot Boyle (Capt.); Sean Moley, Kieran McNulty, Niall Boyle; Niall Og Boyle, Tomas Canning, Paul Mackin.
Substitute was Martin Reavey for Tomas Canning.
Referee was Vincent O'Neill (St Patrick's).