Rearcross 'A' 1 - Clodiagh Rangers 'A' 0

Rearcross 'A' got their league campaign off to a winning start with a slender one nil victory against an understrength Clodiagh Rangers at Rearcross FC Grounds last Sunday morning, this game was on a knife edge for a long periods with both sets of defences performing herocially throughout. Clodiagh made the stronger start making clever breaks from midfield and were denied in the 8th minute when a move on the right saw the ball fly across the face of the goals beofre going left of the upright. Mark Cahill fired in a shot minutes later with Rearcross keeper Sean Sheehy gathering cleanly. The Rearcross netminder came to the rescue again on 16 minutes with a smart save from close range. Clodiagh were shading matters in the midfield sector with Rearcross showing too much space to a lively midfield quartet where Barry Maher was performing well and was on target in the 22nd minute, however Sean Sheehy made the save. The woodwork denied the home side in the 28th minute after Derek O'Toole was the playmaker on the left before sending the ball across the danger area, Eamon Devitt's deft touch looked to have been enough, however the ball skimmed the inside of the upright before riocheting back in to play, it was end to end stuff at this stage and PJ McLoughlin put in a convincing tackle following a Clodiagh corner kick two minutes later. Rearcross had claims for a handball turned down with seven minutes remaining in the half, Rearcross finished the half strongly but were meeting stiff resistance from a dogged Clodiagh rearguard.
Rearcross came close seven minutes in to the second half when a Davy O'Toole's corner kick was met by Derek O'Toole with the headed effort not far off. Bary Maher threatened again for the visitors four minutes later with the Rearcross custodian well positioned to hold, Derek O'Toole had a shot saved by Clodiagh Rangers keeper a minute later as both sides pushed hard for that elusive goal. Liam Nolan(B) did well to clear from the danger area two minutes later. Rearcross were starting to enjoy the better of the exchanges and Derek O'Toole's headed flick midway through the half was teasing, however the ball broke to safety despite the best efforts of Davy O'Toole. Cathal Delahunty's effort was just wide of the post with nine minutes remaining and then Sean Sheehy was forced to save three minutes later. Rearcross grabbed the all important goal with four minutes remaining albeit fortuitously when Liam Nolan's powerfully stuck shot was deflected to the net by a luckless Clodiagh defender. Rearcross were forced to defend in depth for the remaining minutes as the Drombane side went in search of an equaliser forcing successive corners in the dying seconds, however Rearcross stood firm and held on to secure the points.

Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Eamon Devitt, Declan O'Toole, Diarmuid Sheehy, Damien Mullins, PJ McLoughlin(Capt.), Sean Mullins, Liam Nolan(B), Nigel Ryan, Derek O'Toole, Davy O'Toole
Subs: Paul Murphy for Nigel Ryan (72nd minute), Liam Ryan for Davy O'Toole (88th minute), Kevin Mullins for Eamon Devitt (88th minute)
Sub Not Used: Tommy Ryan Luke

Clodiagh Rangers:

Referee: David Donnelly