Tipperary Cup Final
Blackcastle 'A' 0 -
Rearcross
'A' 3
Rearcross 'A' were crowned Tipperary Cup champions
with a smashing three nil victory against Blackcastle 'A' at Thurles Greyhound
Stadium in what was a fanstastic occasion for Rearcross FC, the game was preceded
by the Barry Cup Final where Rearcross 'B' bowed out in the most cruel fashion
following a penalty shootout, Rearcross got off to a flying start against Blackcastle
and were a goal to the good inside the 1st minute when an intricate passing movement
released Sean Mullins who finished to the corner from the edge of the eighteen
yard box, Rearcross were dominating the proceedings and Nigel Ryan produced the
trickery on the right in the 18th minute before sending in a low drive that came
back off the upright, Rearcross went two nil ahead in the 26th minute with Nigel
Ryan intercepted the ball on the right and squared to Emmet Steed who knocked
to the net from close range. Blackcastle upped the ante and Mark Cahill got a
shot on target, however Sean Sheehy was able to make the save. Sean Sheehy was
in the action again two minutes later, this time with a save from the boot of
Stefan Leahy. Rearcross were on the back foot at this stage and James MaCarthy
came treacherously close with a headed effort that skimmed the bottom of the post,
Rearcross were relieved to hear the half time whistle although the reprieve was
short lived as Blackcastle were awarded a penalty three minutes after the restart,
Cathal Scully picked his spot, however Sean Sheehy had read the situation to perfection
and got down to make a super save, Rearcross took full advantage after this and
started to play with more fluency, Nigel Ryan found Emmet Steed who was unlucky
to see his effort whiz over the bar in the 59th minute. Blackcastle were also
playing creative football and Mel McBride fired on target on 62 minutes with the
woodwork denying the Templemore marksman, Derek O'Toole who was outstanding throughout
was making decisive tackles to continually thwart Blackcastle and it was from
one of those tackles that Derek O'Toole won the ball and send a long delivery
to Sean Mullins who kept his composure before lofting the ball to the back of
the Blackcastle net with thirteen minutes remaining on the clock, maybe it was
case of lucky thirteen for Rearcross with the Final also being played on the thirteenth,
however the third goal signalled the end of the Blackcastle effort to a large
part and Rearcross held on to secure a memorable victory against a Blackcastle
side who were most magnanimous in defeat, Rearcross produced a determined all
round performance with Sean Mullins arguably entitled to one of the plaudits on
offer following his double strike. As the score line suggests, the Rearcross defensive
quartet of Kevin Mullins, Simon Kennedy, Damien Mullins and Derek O'Toole were
faultless throughout and were ably complemented by Sean Sheehy between the posts,
PJ McLoughlin, Liam Nolan(B) and Sean Mullins dominated the midfield play, while
Nigel Ryan, Emmet Steed and Diarmuid Sheehy were a constant threat to the Templemore
side, Declan O'Toole was on fire when introduced to the fray, while Eamon Devitt
and Liam Ryan did well after coming in to the action, all in all this was a panel
effort and recognition also to Tommy Ryan Luke and James Gough who joined the
'A' panel following the disappointment of losing on a penalty shootout, thanks
to Oliver Kennedy who joined the panel at the ninth hour following an injury scare
to Sean Sheehy. A special and worthy mention for Paddy Ryan Luke who sustained
a broken leg playing for Rearcross 'A' last November and we all wish Paddy a full
and speedy recovery as quickly as possibly. Thanks to trainer Trevor Lovell for
his work with the squad during the season. Thanks also to Club sponsors for their
ongoing sponsorship of Rearcross FC and finally our thanks to all our supporters
who travelled in large numbers to Thurles in support of Rearcross 'B' and Rearcross
'A'.
Blackcastle 'A': Dean Loughnane, Cathal Scully, James McCarthy,
Stephen Owens, Ricky O'Brien, Killian O'Neill, Joe Shiels (Capt.), Mark Cahill,
Gary Lyons, Stefan Leahy, Stephen Revins.
Subs: Mel McBride for Gary Lyons,
Johnny Coleman for Stefan Leahy, David Fennell for Cathal Scully
Subs Not
Used: Michael Fennell, Gary Revins, David Ryan, Mervyn Bradish, Sean McCormack
Team
Management: Ricky O'Brien, Henry Newman, Murty Kennedy
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
Subs: Declan O'Toole for PJ McLoughlin, Eamon Devitt for Derek
O'Toole, Liam Ryan for Emmet Steed.
Subs not used: Tommy Ryan Luke, James
Gough, Oliver Kennedy
Mascot: Cillian Kennedy
Team Management: Myles Devitt,
Dermot Hammersley, Ger Kennedy
Man of the Match: Sean Sheehy
Referee:
Toddy Sweeney
Assistant Referees: Shay Donnelly, Liam Kelly
Nenagh Guardian Match Report by Shane Brophy
"The
Road to Victory"
1st
Round :
Bye
2nd Round
Nenagh AFC ‘A’ 1 -
2 Rearcross ‘A’
3rd
Round
Rearcross ‘A’ 2 - 0 Ballingarry 0
Quarter
Final
Nenagh Celtic ‘A’ 2 - 3 Rearcross ‘A’
Semi-Final
Rearcross ‘A’ 2 - 1 Cloughjordan ‘A’ (aet)
Final
Blackcastle
'A' 0 - Rearcross 'A' 3
"The
last time I sang the renowned anthem 'You'll never walk alone' was in the famous
Kop in the company of a former great at Anfield in December 1995 when Jack Charlton
brought the curtain down on the most successful period ever in Irish soccer, however
the renditions in which I participated last Sunday evening gives a new symbolism
to the legendary anthem and will instill lasting memories for Rearcross players
and Managment team long in to the future"