Arra Rovers 3 - Rearcross 'A' 1

Rearcross 'A' who were forced to play without a number of regulars were beaten 3-1 by Arra Rovers last Sunday morning in Portroe and were duly aggrieved not to have taken something from this game, Arra went ahead in the 4th minute when Anthony Kennedy got on the end of a throw ball and fired to the side of the net from the corner of the six yard box. Oliver Kennedy did well to deny Arra's Pat Power two minutes later with a fine reflex save, Rearcross came in to the game as the half progressed with Nigel Ryan doing well on the right flank to get in a shot on 11 minutes only for the well stuck effort to veer away from the target. Rearcross equalised in the 14th minute when Adrian Hurley launched a long range free kick in over the Arra defence as Emeet Steed ran in and headed past a helpless Kenneth Kennedy in the Arra goals. Oliver Kennedy came to the rescue for the visitors three minutes later when he reacted well to poke the ball away to safety. Joey Nolan turned and let fly in the 20th minute, however the Arra net minder was correctly positioned to handle. Rearcross were denied the lead in the 34th minute when the keeper made a double save from the boot of Davy O'Toole. Rearcross finished the half strongly, a Davy O'Toole header from a corner kick was saved under the crossbar with two minutes remaining and then claims for a handball on the Arra goal line went unheard just before the half time whistle sounded. Rearcross held their own in the second half, however it was Arra who got the break late in the game when they were awarded a penalty, which was calmly slotted to the net by Pat Power. Rearcross counter attacked and Ger Kennedy got a shot in, however the effort pulled to the left with Davy O'Toole unlucky not to make contact as he slid inwards. Rearcross were left with an uphill battle in the 84th minute when Padraig Hickey grabbed goal number three despite protestations from Rearcross for what appeared to be a clear offside, Rearcross did their best to get back in to the game and came close when Ger Kennedy's headed effort from a Val Kennedy free kick wasn't far off the mark, however it was not to be as the Portroe side claimed the points, A speedy recovery to Declan O'Toole who sustained a serious arm injury.

Arra Rovers: Kenneth Kennedy, Anthony Freeman, Mike Ryan, Shane Kennedy, Pat Conroy, John Ryan, Darren Gleeson, Anthony Kennedy, Padraig Hickey, John Hogan
Sub: Tomas O'Meara for Darren Gleeson (15th minute)

Rearcross 'A': Oliver Kennedy, Liam O'Toole, Adrian Hurley, Val Kennedy, Matthew Ryan Luke, Declan O'Toole, Emmet Steed, Liam Nolan(B), Nigel Ryan, Joey Nolan, Davy O'Toole.
Subs: Ger Kennedy for Declan O'Toole (injured 60th minute), Eamon O'Toole for Davy O'Toole (87th minute)

Referee: Kamel Rahmone