Rearcross 'A' 0 - Milford Utd. 0
(Milford win 4-1 on penalties)

Rearcross were most unlucky to finish their interest in this season's FAI Junior Cup following a penalty shootout against Donegal side Milford United in this fifth round tie played at Rearcross FC Grounds last Sunday after the sides were deadlocked on a nil all score line after extra time. Rearcross were firing on all cylinders for this highly competitive cup tie and did the early attacking, a fine move down the left in the 11th minute saw PJ McLoughlin release Nigel Ryan on the right with the resulting shot barely wide of the far upright, the Donegal side came more in to the game as the half progressed and John Ryan Luke's well timed tackle inside the box cleared the danger in the 19th minute. Diarmuid Sheehy and Damien Mullins were dominant in central defence and it was from a long clearance that Rearcross might have grabbed an unlikely goal when a high delivery troubled the Milford netminder, however the ball broke kindly for the visiting team and the score line remained intact. Exchanges were fair and even to the half time whistle with Anthony Ryan making a decisive tackle on the stroke of half time to thwart a threatening attack on the Rearcross goal. The home side made a bright start to the second half and Sean Mullins got a shot on target three minutes in, however Enda McHugh was well positioned to gather cleanly, Milford looked dangerous from corners and Oliver Kennedy made a fine catch in the 51st minute, the follow up passage of play saw Milford attack down the left flank, the delivery from the edge of the eighteen yard was dummied by Darren McLaughlin as the ball rolled dangerously across the six yard box, the ball was eventually forced to the net from the hands of Oliver Kennedy, the home contingent breathed a sigh of relief as a free out was awarded. Rearcross might have got the breakthrough five minutes later when Emmet Steed was through on goal, however play was called back for an offside infringement. Davy O'Toole was making incisive runs on the left flank and it was from one of these runs in the 66th minute that a cross to Nigel Ryan nearly proved dividends as the first time strike from in front of goal drifted over the Milford crossbar. The Rearcross rearguard were coping adequately with the Milford attack and it was the Rearcross strike force who were creating the better chances, a breakaway run by Nigel Ryan in the 73rd minute created an opening on the right, however the well struck shot was agonisingly wide of the upright. The visitors produced a late rally and Rearcross were forced to defend successive corners, then with four minutes remaining Oliver Kennedy did well to narrow the angle and make a first rate body save in the process. Rearcross were robbed of what would have been a sensational winner in the 90th minute when Nigel Ryan did the trickery on the end line before pulling back to Davy O'Toole who struck a powerful shot on target, the Milford keeper produced the save of the match to deny the home side. Extra time failed to separate the sides as both set of defences defended in depth, Rearcross were misfortunate in the penalty shootout as Oliver Kennedy saved the first spot kick, however the penalty had to re-taken as the Rearcross custodian was adjudged to have moved before the ball was kicked, the penalty was scored on the second attempt and then further frustration was to follow as Anthony Ryan's well stuck penalty ricocheted off the cross bar, the initiative was with last seasons' Premier League Winners from the Donegal League at this point and they ran out comfortable winners from the penalty shootout on a 4-1 scoreline, Nigel Ryan converted the Rearcross penalty while Sean Barrett, Nigel Black, Peter Doherty and Danny Gallagher were on the mark for Milford United. Our thanks to supporters who turned out in large numbers, also thanks to Kennedy's Bar for providing after match food and refreshments.

Rearcross FC: Oliver Kennedy, Simon Kennedy, Anthony Ryan, Diarmuid Sheehy, Damien Mullins, PJ McLoughlin, Paul Murphy, John Ryan Luke, Sean Mullins, Nigel Ryan, Emmet Steed
Subs: Davy O'Toole for Paul Murphy (Injured 35th minute), Eamon Devitt for Simon Kennedy(76th minute)
Subs Not Used: Jim Caplis, Matthew Ryan Luke, Paul Hogan, Declan O'Toole, Joey Ryan, Martin McLoughin

Milford United: Enda McHugh, Danny Gallagher, Hugo Hagan, Nigel Black, Ciaran McGinley, Paul McGinley, Peter Doherty, Anthony McPaul, Oisin Friel, Darren McLaughlin, Sean Barrett
Subs: George Grier, Barry Nutty, Kenny Sweeney, Benjo Casey, Seamus Wilkie.

Referee: Shay Donnelly
Assistant Referee's: David Donnelly, Peter Moyles