Rearcross
'A' 2 - Ardmore AFC 2
(Rearcross
win 4-3 on penalties)
Rearcross advanced to the 4th round of FAI Junior Cup last Sunday
in Rearcross with a gallant victory over Waterford side Ardmore AFC on a score
line of 4-3 following a penalty shootout when the sides were locked on a two
all after extra time. The opening exchanges were evenly shared and a well-timed
tackle from Diarmuid Sheehy in the 12th minute averted the danger for the
home side. A Johnny Hennessy shot a minute later wasn't far off the mark for
the visitors, then two successive corners saw the Rearcross rearguard coming
under pressure, however Rearcross defended stoutly. Rearcross were foraging
well in midfield and Paul Murphy fired in a shot on 22 minutes which pulled
to the right of the upright, Rearcross had the upper hand at this stage and
went head two minutes later when Nigel Ryan raced through the centre and kept
his head before coolly dispatching to the back of the net. Rearcross took
the foot of the pedal after this as the visitors started to dictate the pace,
Ardmore levelled affairs in the 36th minute when Rearcross failed to clear
their lines from a corner kick as Clinton Hennessy slotted between the posts
from in front of goal. The home side conceded a second four minutes later
when Johnny Hennessy was giving too much room in the centre before slotting
to the corner of the net. Rearcross showed strongly towards the end of the
half and Paul Murphy did well to get in a shot just before half time, which
veered wide of the far upright. Rearcross played admirably in the second half
and signalled their intent early on when Emmet Steed linked up with Nigel
Ryan however the Ardmore defence closed in before clearing to safety. Ardmore
threatened in the 51st minute when Clinton Morriss got in a shot which wasn't
far away, Derek O'Toole was in the action five minutes later when his well
stuck shot was held by the visiting keeper, Rearcross were well on top at
this stage and PJ McLoughlin's delivery found Nigel Ryan who was unlucky to
have his effort blocked down, a minute later Paul Murphy swung in an inch
perfect cross with Derek O'Toole leaping highest with his headed effort inches
away. Ardmore had claims for penalty turned down minutes later. Rearcross
grabbed an equaliser in the 77th minute when Paul Murphy made headed contact
with a free kick with the Ardmore defence at sixes, PJ McLoughlin followed
through and finished the ball to the net from close range, the home side were
dominant until the full time whistle. Rearcross held their own in extra time
and came close with efforts from Derek O'Toole and Sean Mullins, however with
the sides still deadlocked at the end of extra time, a penalty shoot out was
needed to separate the sides, Rearcross proved the more clinical with well
taken penalties from Anthony Ryan, Nigel Ryan and Sean Mullins before Rearcross
keeper Sean Sheehy saved brilliantly from Cathal Hennessy, Diarmuid Sheehy
stepped up for Rearcross and tucked away the fourth to put Rearcross in the
driving seat, Sean Sheehy then saved the visitors fifth attempt to give Rearcross
a 4-3 score line from the shootout and a place in the fourth round against
TSDL side Kilmanahan Utd., for the record the Ardmore penalties were converted
by Clinton Hennessy, Johnny Hennessy and Jason Lenane.
Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Simon Kennedy, Joey Ryan, Martin McLoughlin,
Diarmuid Sheehy, PJ McLoughlin, John Ryan Luke, Paul Murphy, Derek O'Toole,
Emmet Steed, Nigel Ryan Subs: Sean Mullins for Paul Murphy (injured 74th minute),
Davy O'Toole for Simon Kennedy (91st minute), Anthony Ryan for Joey Ryan(
108th minute)
Subs not Used: Shane Reynolds, Matthew Ryan Luke
Ardmore AFC: Damien Lenane, Adrian O'Donnell, Brian Keane, Anthony
Aherne, Cathal Hennessy, James O'Donnell, Jason Lenane, Clinton Hennessy,
Johnny Hennessy, Wayne Hennessy, Paddy Gallagher Subs: Cillian McCarthy, Niall
Hennessy, Jamie Hennessy, Maurice Hennessy, Uldis Johansen, Declan O'Reilly
Referee: Shay Donnelly
Assistant Referee's: Peter Moyles, David Donnelly