Rearcross
'A' 1 - Blackcastle 'A' 3
The proverbial game of two halves turned in to a bizarre game
of three halves in this league encounter played in Rearcross last Sunday morning
where Rearcross 'A' were unfortunate in the end to loose to Blackcastle 'A'
on a score line of three goals to one, Rearcross were forced to start three
Youths Squad players with all three youngsters turning in admirable performances
in a game where the opening exchanges were fair and even with Jamie Ryan hassling
and harrying up front, neither side were creating much early on, although
Derek O'Toole did try a long range effort in the 16th minute which was collected
by the Blackcastle custodian. The visitors created an opening a minute later
when the ball was pulled back from the end line with the resulting effort
spilling left of the upright, new recruit John Berkery was faring well in
the midfield sector and a well struck ball had Blackcastle on the back foot,
however play was called back for an off side infringement. Youth goal keeper
Jim Caplis kept Rearcross in the game on 24 minutes when he advanced and saved
well from the feet of Mel McBride, a good flowing move from the home side
on the half hour mark saw Matthew Ryan Luke knock to ball back to Derek O'Toole
who's deflected effort was just outside the target. Rearcross were well in
the game at this stage and a headed effort from Damien Mullins a minute later
was cleared off the line. Blackcastle took a fortuitous lead with eleven minutes
remaining in the half when claims for a wide ball went unheard, the ball was
swung in with Mel McBride in the right place at the right time to knock to
the net from under the crossbar, Rearcross were back in the game a minute
later when Jamie Ryan did well on the right, the ball was lofted in to the
danger area with Matthew Ryan Luke chasing through and making most of the
situation before chipping to the ball over the Templemore custodian. Rearcross
made a bright start to the second half and Jamie Ryan persisted before releasing
Emmet Steed three minutes in, the resulting effort wasn't far off. The visitors
went ahead for the second time in 58th minute when a long range shot came
back out to Davy Russell who tapped in from close range. Simon Kennedy did
well to get a tackle in minutes later as Blackcastle continued to push forward,
then Jim Caplis was quick of his line to gather with fourteen minutes remaining,
the Blackcastle attack continued and Steven Revin's left legged shot in the
79th minute whizzed over the crossbar. Rearcross rallied towards the end and
Emmet Steed broke through the centre, however the Blackcastle defenders got
back to tidy up, then a long range effort from Damien Mullins was inches outside
the Blackcastle upright, Rearcross won a free on the edge of the box with
a minute remaining, Emmet Steed struck a pile driver that crashed off the
cross bar with Mervyn Bradish gathering Matthew Ryan Luke's follow through,
Rearcross continued to press and Emmet Steed put the ball across the danger
area before the ball was eventually cleared, Blackcastle broke down the left
flank, Johnny Doran collected the delivery from the left and knocked the ball
to the net for the simplest of goals, Rearcross launched one final attack
and came close after good work by Simon Kennedy and Matthew Ryan Luke, however
the odds were with visitors who collected maximum points from their trip to
Rearcross on this occasion.
Rearcross 'A': Jim Caplis, Simon Kennedy, Joey Ryan, John Ryan Luke,
Damien Mullins, John Berkery, Matthew Ryan Luke, Diarmuid Sheehy, Derek O'Toole,
Emmet Steed, Jamie Ryan
Subs: PJ McLoughlin for Jamie Ryan (61st minute), Martin McLoughlin for Joey
Ryan (73rd minute) Subs Not Used: Robert Harrington, Declan O'Toole
Blackcastle 'A': Mervyn Bradish, David Ryan, Garry Revins, Davy Russell,
Declan Fogarty, David Owen, John Dunne, Joe Shields, Mel McBride, James Ryan,
Steven Revins Subs: Michael Lynagh, Steve Fennell, Johnny Doran, Michael Fennell
Referee: Kamel Rhemone