Rearcross Football Club
(Website: www.rearcrossfc.com)  

The year in review saw Rearcross FC complete 30 seasons of North Tipperary & District League Football in glorious fashion with a First Division League and Shield double which was also complemented with Barry Cup and Youths League Runners-Up accolades. Indeed, the origins of association football in Rearcross go back to 1966 with memorable games and events taking place in the intervening period up to 1983, however 2013 will go down as one of the most successful years both on and off the pitch with the splendid summer sunshine capping of a memorable twelve months for the Club.

The festivities kicked off with our annual Underage Disco which took place on the 17th December, a great evening was enjoyed by all attendees young and old.

Rearcross FC Players Tournament took place on the 22nd December with Darren Quigley’s team cruising to an impressive win on the evening, while Geraldine O’Toole’s selection emerged victorious in the Ladies event.

Our annual Bag Packing Fundraiser took place at the end of January in Dunne’s Stores, Parkway Shopping Centre and we would like to thank all 43 volunteers for making the event another success.

Friday 8th February saw Rearcross clinch a memorable First Division League title with a 4-1 win over Ardcroney at Rearcross FC Grounds, well done to all Players on this fine achievement and to team management of Eamonn Devitt, Simon Kennedy and Diarmuid Sheehy in addition to team trainer Derek O’Toole.

The Club held a Basic First Aid Course in Rearcross FC Clubhouse on Saturday 13th April, thanks to those who attended on the day.

Rearcross National School fielded three teams in the FAI Primary Schools competition in Newhill Park on Tuesday 23rd April, thanks to Rearcross National School for facilitating participation in this event.

Rearcross FC Grounds hosted the NT&DL Ricky Fogarty Cup Final on the 20th April where Cloughjordan claimed the plaudits over Thurles Town on a 3-2 score line after extra time.

We fielded teams at U-8, U-11 & U-14 levels last season with the final outing of the campaign taking place with a U-11 Blitz in Newtown on the 18th May.

NTSFL U-14’s and Limerick U-14’s played an Inter-League Friendly in Rearcross on the 31st May.

The North Tipperary & District League AGM was held on the 30th June in Rearcross FC Clubhouse.

Our 30th season celebrations culminated with a Presentation Dinner Dance took place on the Saturday 8th June in the Castletroy Park Hotel. NT&DL accolades were presented to the successful 2012/2013 double winning team. A nostalgic gathering for the Club saw memento presentations made to team members from the 1983/84 debut season in addition to team members from the Rearcross Ladies team which won back to back Community Games County Titles in 1978/79.

Congratulations to ‘A’ team Player of the Year recipient Derek O’Toole and also to Brian Carey who was awarded the Youth’s team Player of the Year accolade.

Our 3rd Annual Community Day took place on Sunday 23rd June in more favourable weather conditions compared to the previous year and proved to be a fine success. The day commenced with the Slieve Felim Community Cycle which was followed with numerous events including Massey Ferguson 35 Derby, Jack Russell Terrier Racing, O-35 and U-8 soccer tournaments, penalty competitions, bouncy castles, cake sale, gala raffle, commodity auction, face painting, donkey cart / pony rides. Thanks to all participants, sponsors and donors for making the event a success and finally our thanks to those who attended in large numbers on the day.

We hosted our First FAI Goalkeeper Camp week commencing 15th July saw and which proved to be a fine success.

Thomond Park was the venue on the 28th July for the Airtricity League clash between Limerick FC v Derry City where Rearcross FC provided the mascots and half time players, a stop off in McDonalds on the way home capped off a great day out.

A Rearcross FC selection participated in Tag Rugby Tournament at part of the Kilcommon Festival on the 4th August and pulled out all the stops to emerge victorious over Upperchurch in the Final.

Cappamore Celtic clinched the 24th Ann Kennedy Tournament title on the 5th August with a hard earned one nil victory over Murroe AFC in the decider.

The 13th FAI Summer School took place in Rearcross from the 19th to 23rd August, thanks to all 103 participants who travelled from far and near to make the event a success.

The season to date sees Rearcross ‘A’ promoted back to the Premier Division, Rearcross ‘B’ made a welcome return to the Third Division while Rearcross Youths are competing in the Youths League. Rearcross U-12’s and Rearcross U-9’s have made promising starts to their respective campaigns.

The Club’s All Weather Playing Area continues to be a valuable amenity for young and old, 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 remains a vital source of income for the Club, 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.

The Club’s activities throughout the year such as fixtures, match reports, pictures and other events etc... can be viewed on www.rearcrossfc.com, the Club Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/rearcross.fc We express our condolences to families who were bereaved during the year.

Last but not least, our thanks once again to all Sponsors and to all those who helped and contributed to the Club in so many ways throughout the past twelve months.

Finally, 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 2014

Ger Kennedy
Rearcross FC Secretary