Cormacstown 2 - Rearcross 'A' 2

Rearcross 'A' made their maiden voyage to Cormacstown last Sunday for a league game and had to be content with a share of the spoils after producing a fine performance that surely deserved maximum points. Cormacstown were stronger early on with the Rearcross rearguard doing well to weather the early storm. Rearcross got to grips with the game as the half progressed, Derek O'Toole did well on the left on 20 minutes and released Paul Murphy, however the Cormacstown defence were quick to shut down the move. Joey Nolan landed a long delivery from midfield to the path of Derek O'Toole five minutes later, with the resulting attack yielding a corner kick which was cleared to safety. Paul Murphy's left footed volley from a Derek O'Toole pass wasn't far of target in the 38th minute. Rearcross will rue missed chances and bad luck in a second half performance that saw the visiting team turn the heat on the league leaders, Derek O'Toole broke through the centre five minutes into the half, however the Cormacstown keeper advanced, narrowed the angle and parried the ball to safety. Cormacstowm set up a counter attack and found space on the left to set up P Ryan who blasted to the roof of the net from the edge of the six yard box with the Rearcross rearguard at sea. Emmet Steed did well two minutes later to split the Cormacstown defence with a fine pass, however the move went a begging. Robbie Jordan put the home side two nil ahead in the 64th minute with a well taken goal, Rearcross upped the tempo thereafter and produced a finish that was worthy of the win, Derek O'Toole pulled a goal back in the 70th minute when he side-stepped and tapped to ball in from close range. Joey Nolan was playing with fluency on the right and was making great use of possession and it was from one of these deliveries that Derek O'Toole was taken down on the left, Joey Nolan struck a sweet free kick that was adjudged to have been over the line in the 79th minute, Rearcross were level with all to play for, Joey Nolan nearly added a second with a first time effort that was right of the post three minutes later, the addition of John Ryan Luke and Joe O'Brien was working well as the onslaught continued, Derek O'Toole's shot from in front of goal skewed off the outside of his boot and left of the target, Joey Nolan also had an effort cleared after a goal mouth scramble, Emmet Steed's powerfully struck shot was over the top in the 89th minute, however it was not to be on the day as the final whistle sounded and Rearcross had to be content with the draw after playing their hearts out.

Cormacstown Rovers: D Coppinger, P McGrath, P Slattery, P Lee, R Doyle, P Ryan, M Lee, M Jordan, J Tierney, S Coppinger, R Jordan Subs: K Corbett, L McGrath, D Callaghan, C Gleeson, D Ryan

Rearcross 'A': Oliver Kennedy, Liam O'Toole, Adrian Hurley, Martin McLoughlin, Darren Malone, Liam Nolan(B), Emmet Steed, Declan O'Toole, Derek O'Toole, Joey Nolan, Paul Murphy
Subs: Shane Reynolds, Joe O'Brien, John Ryan Luke, Brendan Deeagm, PJ McLoughlin, Val Kennedy.

Referee: Pat Gibson.