Tipperary Cup Final

Blackcastle 'A' 0 - Rearcross 'A' 3

Rearcross Power to Cup Glory
By Shane Brophy at Thurles Greyhound Stadium

With probably the fastest goal in any cup final on the European continent, Rearcross continued their remarkable progression in North Tipperary soccer with an emphatic win over Blackcastle in the Tipperary Cup Final on Sunday afternoon last. Sean Mullin’s goal on fourteen seconds set his side on their way to a comfortable win although their win owed much to a superb defensive effort rather than a dominant attacking performance. The green and white hoops took a 2-0 lead to the break with Emmet Steed doubling the lead in the 27th minute. Rearcross will owe a debt to goalkeeper Sean Sheehy who made a superb penalty save from Cathal Scully just two minutes after the restart and Blackcastle will wonder what could have been if that chance had been taken. For the Templemore side enjoyed the majority of the possession and had plenty of chances to score but it just was not going to be their day. Any chance of a comeback was ended with Sean Mullin’s breaking the offside trap to lob the advancing Dean Loughnane in the 77th minute to send the sizable Rearcross crowd into raptures. Rearcross’s success was down to a superb team display, particularly their defence with Simon Kennedy and Derek O’Toole in particular outstanding. Sean Mullin’s two goals from midfield crowned an industrious display while captain Diarmuid Sheedy was a rock in midfield. Nigel Ryan and Emmet Steed worked hard in attack and never gave the Blackcastle defence a moment’s peace. Blackcastle had their chances apart from the penalty miss with substitute Mel McBride having the best of them. James McCarthy was assured at centre half while Mark Cahill was the pick of the midfielders. No one could have imagined such a start to the final played in miserable conditions. A long punt forward from Kevin Mullins deceived Stephen Owens and fell into the path of Sean Mullins and he finished coolly with a low right-footed shot with just 14 seconds on the clock. Rearcross then sat back and Blackcastle enjoyed some good possession and their best chance came from a free kick from Gary Lyons, which was easily saved by Sean Sheehy. Rearcross almost doubled their advantage in the 18th minute but Nigel Ryan was unlucky to see his low shot come back off the post in the relieved arms of Dean Loughnane. The second goal did arrive with their next chance as Nigel Ryan intercepted an attempted quick clearance from Blackcastle and he unselfishly passed inside to Emmet Steed who rolled the ball into the empty net. Blackcastle needed a goal before half time and they had a couple of attacks with the best being a James McCarthy header, which struck the outside of the post. The Templemore side were given a tonic start to the second half when they were awarded a penalty, two minutes in after referee Toddy Sweeney adjudged a Rearcross defender to have handled the ball in the box. Blackcastle right-back Cathal Scully struck the penalty well but Sean Sheehy got down superbly to his left push the ball around the post. Blackcastle pushed hard for a goal with Stephen Revins and Mel McBride going close. They were beginning to get frustrated on and off the pitch and it got too much for Blackcastle manager Henry Newman who was banished from the dugout in the 56th minute. Rearcross were trying to play on the break and they should have scored three minutes later when Emmet Steed wandered into an offside position but his shot from three yards out went over when it was easier to score. It was end to end at this stage and Blackcastle came close again with Mel McBride hitting the crossbar from the edge of the box. Johnny Coleman was introduced for Cathal Scully as Blackcastle went for broke and the big striker nodded wide from a Stephen Owens cross in the 67th minute. McBride saw another chance go agonisingly wide before Rearcross sealed the win after a dramatic piece of action. Liam Nolan was denied by Dean Loughnane and Blackcastle cleared but a long ball up field found Sean Mullins onside and he chipped the ball over the advancing Blackcastle keeper and into the empty net in the 77th minute to virtually end the contest. For there to the end, there was very little goalmouth action as Blackcastle gave up the ghost while Rearcross waited for the final whistle when the celebrations could begin and not even the presence of Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny at the trophy presentation was going to stop them.

Guardian Player of the Week: Derek O’Toole (Rearcross)

Rearcross: Sean Sheehy, Kevin Mullins, Derek O’Toole, Simon Kennedy, Damien Mullins, PJ McLoughlin, Sean Mullins, Liam Nolan, Nigel Ryan, Emmet Steed, Diarmuid Sheehy (Capt).
Subs: Tommy Ryan for PJ McLoughlin (76); Liam Ryan for D O’Toole (84 inj); Declan O’Toole for E Steed (87).

Blackcastle: Dean Loughnane, Cathal Scully, Ricky O’Brien, James McCarthy, Stephen Owens, Joe Shiels (Capt), Killian O’Neill, Mark Cahill, Gary Lyons, Stefan Leahy, Stephen Revins.
Subs: Mel McBride for G Lyons (27 inj); Johnny Coleman for C Scully (63); David Fennell for S Revins (71). Referee: Toddy Sweeney.

Referee: Toddy Sweeney
Assistant Referees: Shay Donnelly, Liam Kelly