Match Results & Reports

Nenagh Celtic 'A' 0 - Rearcross 'A' 1

Rearcross 'A' turned in a gritty performance last Sunday afternoon to topple Premier League Champions Nenagh Celtic 'A' on a one nil score line in a Tipperary Cup Quarter Final played at the Nenagh venue, Nenagh Celtic were fast out of the traps and were causing problems for the visiting defence, a Paul Kelly free kick in the 4th minute wasn't far off the mark, Rearcross steadied and started to match their opponents in all sectors, a well worked move by Derek O'Toole on 11 minutes saw John Ryan Luke getting a shot on target which was stopped out for a corner by the Nenagh net minder. John Donnellan got on the end of another corner kick midway through the half, the visitors breathed a sigh of relief as the ball went over the top. Rearcross were then forced to defend in depth as Nenagh attacked in droves, Val Kennedy got up well to head clear in the 27th minute, Rearcross were back in the action two minutes later when Derek O'Toole got behind the Nenagh defence, however the Nenagh custodian closed the angle and made the save. Derek O'Toole got through again seconds later, however play was halted for an offside infringement as the resulting shot came back off the upright, the visitors escaped in the 32nd minute when the ball was deflected off the goal line following a corner kick. Nenagh were looking dangerous from set pieces and Rearcross had to be on full alert to deal with three successive corners with five minutes remaining in the half, Rearcross prevailed and advanced up field, John Ryan Luke released Joey Nolan on the right, however the shot from an acute angle pulled outside the far post. Rearcross took the lead with four minutes remaining in the half when Joey Nolan was fastest off the mark as he got under Derek O'Toole's corner kick and headed past Shane Whyte in the Nenagh goal. Rearcross made a strong start the to the second half, a Val Kennedy clearance in the 4th minute found Derek O'Toole who raced down the left flank, the Nenagh keeper got out to deny the chance, Rearcross were fortunate in the 63rd minute when the ball ricocheted out for a corner kick after a goal mouth scramble, Derek O'Toole put the ball in danger area in the 67th minute and followed through with a darting run, however the ball skewed to the right of the target. The game was finished at a hectic pace as Celtic went in search of an equaliser, Oliver Kennedy made a point blank save in the 74th minute when a goal looked certain, a Darren Mitchell free kick was headed to safety four minutes later by Val Kennedy who was dominant in the air throughout, a temper flare up minutes later wasn't going to detract from a Rearcross side who were well up for this Cup tie, Nenagh kept battling and looked dangerous to the end, Davy O'Toole got in the way of a Celtic pile driver with two minutes remaining, however it was not to be for League winners as the final whistle sounded shortly afterwards. Rearcross turned in a fine performance on the day, however further improvement will be required if Rearcross are to progress in this competition.

Nenagh Celtic 'A':
Shane Whyte, Stevie Ryan, Darren Mitchell, Darren Daly, Derek McKenna, John Donnellan, Jason Kennedy, John Mitchell, Jimmy Hynes, Paul Kelly, Aurthur Mitchell,
Subs: Padraig O'Meara, Neil O'Donnell, Mark McKenna (Not used)

Rearcross 'A': Oliver Kennedy, PJ McLoughlin, Joey Ryan, Val Kennedy, Sean Kennedy, Liam O'Toole, John Ryan Luke, Matthew Ryan Luke, Liam Nolan(B), Joey Nolan, Derek O'Toole
Subs: Davy O'Toole for Joey Nolan, Emmet Steed for Liam Nolan(B),
Subs Not Used: Declan O'Toole, Anthony Ryan, Martin McLoughlin, Ger Kennedy

Referee:
Shay Donnelly

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