Rearcross Football Club
(Website: www.rearcrossfc.com)
That time of year once again as we look back on the Club’s activities over the past twelve months or so in what was an enjoyable and fruitful year for the Club, even if silverware evaded the green & whites on this occasion.
The first event of the year was our annual Bag Packing Fundraiser which took place at the end of January with Thurles the venue on this occasion, thanks to all for making the event a success.
The FAI Soccer Sisters Programme concluded on the Friday 28th January which was a very worthwhile event, the Club is hoping to hold a second Programme during the coming season.
A Sligo Rovers delegation including the 2010 PFAI Player of the Year Richie Ryan and Keith O’Dwyer whose father John is originally from Killeen visited Rearcross National School and Rearcross FC on the 28th February with the FAI Ford Cup and the EA Sports Cup, the Club was honoured and privileged to facilitate a memorable visit.
Saturday 19th March saw our Club participate in the NTSFL U-6 Futsal Blitz for the first time at the Nenagh Arena venue, our up and coming stars gave a fine account of themselves in their debut outing for Rearcross FC.
A delegation from the Club participated in the inaugural John Giles Foundation Walk of Dreams in Thurles on the 27th March, thanks to all who sold sponsorship cards and also to those who gave sponsorship.
Rearcross FC Players James Rochford, Pat O’Toole, Patrick Hayes and Philip Deegan completed the NTSFL U-10 Academy at St Mary’s Secondary School Newport last March.
Congratulations to Patrick Carey who was part of the NTSFL U-12 Team that clinched an All Ireland Title against the Waterford Schoolboys League on the 21st May in what was a remarkable achievement for the North Tipperary Schoolchildren’s Football League.
The Club was saddened by the untimely death of Fr Jim Foley on the 25th May, Fr Jim was a past President of Rearcross FC and played with the Club in the mid nineties. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Well done to Rearcross FC's Patrick Deegan and the NTSFL Kennedy Cup Team on a fantastic showing in the Kennedy Cup Competition which took place at the University of Limerick during the third week of June, the North Tipperary side finished in an impressive 6th place which greatly defied the pre-tournament form book. Brian Carey was also part of the Emerging Talent Programme that led to this success.
We hosted a gala Community Day on Sunday 26th June in splendid sunshine in what was a great occasion for the Club. The day commenced with the Slieve Felim Community Cycle in conjunction with National Bike week. The Donkey Derby proved to be the biggest crowd puller of the day while other activities including soccer tournaments, bouncy castles, cake sale, gala raffle, commodity auction, face painting, plus numerous other side shows, the Club is planning a similar event for the coming year. Thanks to all patrons for making the event such a great success.
Rearcross FC Grounds hosted the Joe Delaney Cup Final between Nenagh AFC Youths and Cahir Park Youths on Sunday 3rd July, FAI CEO John Delaney was in attendance and presented league runners up medals to Rearcross U-13 team.
The Ann Kennedy Tournament took place at the beginning of August with Jody Shanahan and his Doon-Donohill charges rolling back the years to claim a joyous victory on a 2-1 score line over Murroe AFC in the Final played on the 12th August.
Congratulations to David O’Toole (‘A’ Player of the Year), Sean Hickey (‘B’ Team Player of the Year) and Greg Kennedy (Youths Team Player of the Year) who were awarded Player of the Year accolades for the 2010/2011 season.
The Club’s 11th FAI Summer School commenced on the 15th August with a total of 71 participants enrolled which saw the Club break the 1,000 figure in terms of participants that have attended the Summer School in Rearcross, thanks to all for making the 2011 event a success
The Club held Scrap Collection Fundraiser on the 17th September and 8th October respectively in what proved to be a fine success. A wide range of items were donated to the fundraiser and we express our gratitude to all those who supported the event. The Club is planning to hold another Scrap Fundraiser in the spring time.
We are again honoured to have players from Rearcross involved with FAI Emerging Talent Programmes and special recognition goes to Patrick Deegan who has been selected as part of the FAI Regional Emerging Talent Programme which takes place in Ennis on a weekly basis. Patrick Carey is again part of the NTSFL U-13 squad while Pat O’Toole has been called up for the NTSFL U-12 squad.
The Club was allocated €3,000 from the John Giles Foundation at the beginning of October; a delegation from the Club was presented with the cheque before the Ireland v Armenia game at Aviva Stadium on the 11th October.
Rearcross FC in conjunction with North Tipperary Sports Partnership hosted a Child Welfare and Protection in Sport Course on the 18th October, a total of eleven Club members complete the course.
We wish Damien Mullins who was injured following an accident in Australia continued progress on the road to recovery.
The 2011/2012 season kicked off on the 7th August, Rearcross ‘A’ are in the Premier Divison League while Rearcross ‘B’ are in the Third Division League. At underage level, Rearcross U-16’s, U-13’s and U-10’s are competing in the North Tipperary Schoolchildren’s Football League with Rearcross U-8’s and Rearcross U-6’s scheduled to kick off their Futsal campaign’s shortly. Coaching takes place every Wednesday evening in Rearcross for all age groups, new players always welcome.
We express our condolences to families who suffered bereavements during the year.
The Club’s All Weather Playing Area continues to be a valuable amenity, our Gymnasium is opened Monday to Friday from 7:00PM to 9:00PM with Ladies only slot from 7:00PM to 8:00PM, nightly membership rates available.
Revenue from Bilboa lotto ticket sales continues to be a vital source of income for the Club as we work to clear the Club’s remaining debt. We express our gratitude once again to the general public for their continuous support, thanks to the business outlets where tickets are sold on a weekly basis and finally thanks to those Club members for their help with ticket selling activities, additional help always welcome.
The Club’s activities throughout the year such as fixtures, match reports, pictures and other events etc... can be viewed on www.rearcrossfc.com
Last but not least, our thanks once again to all those who helped and contributed to the Club in so many ways throughout the past twelve months, a special word of thanks to our sponsors for their generosity during the year.
Without further adieu, I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Rearcross F.C. to wish all at home and abroad a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2012
Ger Kennedy
Rearcross FC Secretary