Rearcross 'B' 2 - Birdhill 2
(Birdhill win 6-5 on penalties)
8th July 2002
Tournament holders Birdhill were seconds away from relinquishing their title
against a valiant Rearcross 'B' outfit, however a goal from the penalty spot
in the final minute off normal time was to prove to be their stepping stone
to the quarter final stages. Rearcross 'B' made a bright start to this game
with a shot from Thomas Kennedy in the opening minutes not far off target. The
deadlock was broken in the 9th minute when Thomas Kennedy rifled to the net
from a quickly taken free kick on the edge of the eighteen yard box. Rearcross
were well on top at this stage and could have added to their tally with shots
from James Nolan and Trevor Delahunty coming close. Rearcross 'B' increased
their lead in the 6th minute of the second half when Adrian Ryan scored a splendid
goal when he broke on the right and lofted the ball over the Birdhill netminder
from twenty five yards. Declan O'Toole might have put the game beyond Birdhill
three minutes later, however his effort was just wide of the upright, Birdhill
who had Tipperary football Manager Tom McClinchy in their ranks rallied to defend
their title and dominated the exchanges for the remainder of the game.Trevor
Howard pulled a goal back for Birdhill middway through the half when he blasted
the net from a Sean O'Brien corner kick. Birdhill threatened again from a corner
kick three minutes later, however John Coffey's headed effort was over the top.
Birdhill were unlucky with four minutes remaining when Birdhill broke through
the centre and set up John Coffey who was denied when his shot hit the crossbar.
Then, just when Rearcross looked to have weathered the storm, disaster struck
when referee Jim Lees pointed to the spot for a handball infringement, Ricky
Moate made no mistake with a well taken penalty to send the game to extra time.
An uneventful extra time failed to produce a winner so the issue had to be decided
on a penalty shoot out, the first ten penalties were scored on the trot, so
sudden death was needed to determine a winner, Birdhill goal keeper Thomas Costello
proved to hero of the hour when he converted his sudden penalty against his
opposite number and then saved superbly from Liam Ryan's well struck penalty
to send Birdhill in to the quarter final.The penalty scorers for Rearcross were
James Nolan, Adrian Ryan, Thomas Kennedy, Trevor Delahunty, Declan O'Toole,
while Johnny Moate, Ricky Moate, Mark Fitzgerlad, Tom McClinchy, Trevor Howard
were also on the mark for Birdhill. Best for Rearcross were Darren Quigley,
Liam Ryan and Thomas Kennedy.
Rearcross 'B': Darren Quigley, Paudie Devitt, Brendan Deegan, Liam Caplis,
Liam Ryan, Davy Ryan Luke, Trevor Delahunty, James Nolan, Declan O'Toole, Thomas
Kennedy, Adrian Ryan.
Subs: Eamon Devitt, Mike Carey, Aidan Quigley, Davy O'Toole, Sean Nolan,
Birdhill: Thomas Costello, Sean O'Brien, Stephen Howard, John Coffey, Tom McGlinchy, Eoin Mc Keogh, Ricky Moate, John McKeogh, Johnny Moate, Mark Fitzgerald, Trevor Howard.
Referee: Jim Lees