Nenagh Celtic 'A' 2 - Rearcross 'A' 3

Rearcross 'A' faced a difficult assignment in this Tipperary Cup Quarter Final game with an away fixture against Premier Division League winners Nenagh Celtic 'A' and progressed to the semi-final stages on a 3-2 score line,
Rearcross signalled their intent early on and Nigel Ryan's shot was on target, however a deflection put the ball out of touch. The home side playing with wind advantage started to gain territorial advantage and were denied in the 8th minute when Paul Kelly's free kick from out on the right came back of the post, Rearcross were defending deep at this stage and a Jimmy Hynes effor on 12 minutes flew across the goalmouth, Rearcross counter attacked and came close a minute later when Nigel Ryan broke through the centre with the resulting effort drifting over the crossbar. Sean Sheehy came to the rescue for Rearcross on 24 minutes with a superb reactionary save when a goal looked certain. Rearcross were let off the hook three minutes later when the Nenagh net minder fired wide of the post from the penalty spot. The league winners went ahead with eight minutes remaining in the half when a delivery from the right broke to Jimmy Hynes who poked the ball home from just outside the six yard box. Rearcross made a strong finish to the half despite this setback and PJ McLoughlin took up a good position in the 39th minute, however the shot veered away from the target. Rearcross drew level on the stroke of half time when Nigel Ryan excelled on the right wing and slammed the ball to the corner of the net. Rearcross buoyed by this equaliser dominated the exchanges for long spells in the second half, a Liam Nolan tackle in the 57th quelled the danger when Nenagh looked to have taken up a dangerous position. Rearcross went ahead a minute later when a long range free was driven low in to the area, PJ McLoughlin had read the situation to perfection and chipped the ball to the back of the Nenagh net. Rearcross were rampant after this and went further ahead in the 68th minute when Diarmuid Sheehy broke down the left flank and sent a low pile driver to the left of the Nenagh Celtic custodian. The home side pulled a goal back in the 90th minute when a corner kick fell to Lenny Ryan who knocked to the net from inside the eighteen yard box. Rearcross played out an anxious four minutes of injury time, but held on to secure the win. Our thanks to Rearcross FC supporters who travelled to Nenagh for this tie.

Nenagh Celtic 'A': Aidan Herlihy, Derek McKenna, Paul Kelly, Mark McKenna, Lenny Ryan, John Mitchell, Darren Mitchell, Jerome Ashman, Shane Quigley, Jimmy Hynes, Paudie O'Meara.
Subs Used: Michael Hynes, Mark Flannery, Craig Connolly

Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Kevin Mullins, Derek O'Toole, Simon Kennedy, Damien Mullins, PJ McLoughlin, Sean Mullins, Liam Nolan (B), Nigel Ryan, Emmet Steed, Diarmuid Sheehy
Sub Used: Declan O'Toole for PJ McLoughlin (65th minute)
Subs Not Used: Tommy Ryan Luke, Eamon Devitt, Liam Ryan, James Gough

Referee: Liam Kelly
Assistant Referees: Jimmy McCarthy, Tony Canning