Rearcross 'A' 1 - Blackcastle 'A' 3
Rearcross 'A's chances of winning their first Premier league
title have all but disappeared after suffering a third consecutive league
defeat to Blackcastle 'A' on a 3-1 scoreline in a game played in Rearcross
last Sunday morning, the visiting team did the early attacking and went ahead
in the 10th minute when A Moynihan jumped highest to head past Oliver Kennedy
in the Rearcross goals. R O'Brien put Blackcastle further ahead in the 28th
minute with a well taken free kick from the edge of the eighteen yard box.
Rearcross also had chances in the opening half and came close midway through
the half when the upright denied Derek O'Toole, the woodwork denied Rearcross
for the second time in the 32nd minute when Ger Kennedy's headed effort from
a Thomas Kennedy cross was deflected on to the crossbar and out for a corner
by Mervyn Bradish.
Blackcastle edged in to a three nil lead midway through the second half when
D McBride tapped home from close range after good approach play on the right
flank. Derek O'Toole found space inside the box on 80 minutes however the
advancing keeper did well to thwart the danger. Darren Malone scored a consolation
goal for Rearcross in the 86th minute with a well placed header that left
the Blackcastle keeper stranded. This was another disappointing performanace
from Rearcross 'A' who are now left to reflect on what might have been, one
facet of improvement from the previous defeat by Nenagh was that Rearcross
at least created scoring opportunities in this game and with a bit of luck
might just have taken a victory from the encounter. Rearcross now have to
depend on Nenagh 'A' losing their last match to Moneygall and Blackcastle
'A' dropping two points from their last to league games to give Rearcross
any say in the destination of the title, of course in the unlikely event of
the above permutations becoming a reality, Rearcross still need to win their
remaining five league games, taking all factors in to account, this is surely
a bridge too far at this stage.
Rearcross 'A': Oliver Kennedy, Brendan Deegan, Shane Reynolds, John Ryan(L),
Darren Malone, Emmet Steed, Val Kennedy, Martin McLoughlin, Ger Kennedy, Thomas
Kennedy, Derek O'Toole Subs: Declan O'Toole, Thomas Rainsford, Denis Kennedy.
Liam O'Toole, PJ McLoughlin.
Blackcastle 'A': Mervyn Bradish, R Grimes, Jim Fogarty, Ricky O'Brien,
E Byrne, Joe Shields, A Moynihan, J McCarthy, Larry Stapelton, D McBride,
Domo Byrne. Subs Used: Sean Everard, Ger Sweeney
Referee: Pat Gibson