Rearcross
'A' 2 - Cormacstown Rovers 'A' 3
Rearcross 'A' were left chasing this game after conceding three first half goals to a more lively Cormacstown side in this league fixture played at a blustery Rearcross last Sunday afternoon, the visitors won the toss and opted to play with the assistance of a strong wind, Rearcross matched their opponents early on and breached the Cormacstown rearguard on more than one occasion coming closest when PJ Ryan was well positioned to save from Emmet Steed, Rearcross were let off the hook when lackluster defending allowing Eoin Dorney to get a shot on target in the 12th minute which was deflected on to the upright before being cleared to safety, Rearcross failed to heed this let off and were left reeling in the 17th minute when a stray pass was collected by Robert Jordan who raced through on the left and stuck a clinical finish that lodged in the side netting, Rearcross held their own after this and creating openings but lacked conviction in front of goal, Michael Lee then came close for the visitors midway through the half with a headed effort that was bundled away from the danger zone. Rearcross went two behind on the half hour mark when Eoin Dorney punished his ancestoral colleagues for slack marking as he sailed through and floated the ball to the top corner of the net. Rearcross were left with a battle on their hands in the 33rd minute when Robert Jordan was fastest to react before driving to the net from in front of goal. Rearcross made a strong finish to the half despite this and Derek O'Toole's cross was met by Emmet Steed who's effort was well saved by the Cormacstown custodian with seven minutes remaining, then Martin McLoughlin got on the end of a corner kick with a headed effort that wasn't far off the mark. Rearcross playing with wind advantage in the second half made the early running as expected and pegged a goal back five minutes in when John Ryan Luke's long range kick came back off the crossed bar, younger brother Matthew lay in wait and smashed the ball of the back of the net, Rearcross kept on the attack and reduced the deficit to a minimum in the 63rd minute when a good run from Shane Reynolds saw the ball crossed to Emmet Steed who struck from the edge of the box to leave the Cormacstown keeper stranded, it was all to play for after this and the odds would have favoured the host team, however the third goal didn't come for a Rearcross side who had more than the lion's share of the possession, it was a case of bad luck and poor finishing from the home side combined with a strong defensive performance from Cormacstown that ultimately saw them through in the end.
Rearcross 'A': Ger Kennedy, PJ McLoughlin, Joey Ryan,
Mark Lenihan, John Ryan Luke, Liam O'Toole, Declan O'Toole, Matthew Ryan Luke(Capt.),
Martin McLoughlin, Emmet Steed, Derek O'Toole,
Subs; Nigel Ryan, Sean Ryan, Shane Reynolds, Davy O'Toole
Cormacstown Rovers 'A': PJ Ryan, Colm McGrath, David
Joyce, Paudie Lee(Capt), Tadgh Bourke, Pakie Ryan, Micheal Lee, Kevin O'Dwyer,
Michael King, Robert Jordan, Eoin Dorney.
Subs: John King, Michael O'Sullivan
Referee: David Donnelly