Nenagh
Celtic 'A' 3 - Rearcross 'A' 2
(Game
abandoned after 70 minutes)
A depleted
Rearcross 'A' squad travelled to Nenagh VEC on Saturday evening for this Premier
Division Shield quarter final game against Nenagh Celtic 'A' and turned in a creditable
performance before the tie was brought to a premature end when referee Shay Donnelly
called a halt to proceedings with twenty minutes remaining following verbal utterings
from the Nenagh sideline, the home side made the better start and John Mitchell
came close early on, however Sean Sheehy was able to make the save, Rearcross
settled as the game progressed and enjoyed their fair share of possession with
Paul Murphy doing well on the left wing coming close with a well struck effort
midway through the half. Rearcross were dealt a heavy blow in a two minute spell
when John Mitchell pounced for a double strike, the first coming on 35 minutes
when Colm O'Brien split the Rearcrosss defence with a pin point pass that saw
John Mitchell send a pile driver goal bound, Sean Sheehy got a hand to the shot,
however the ball ricocheted off the upright and finished in the net. John Mitchell
followed up a minute later with a fine finish after being allowed to much space
on the left. Rearcross regrouped and made a strong finish to the half with Paul
Murphy unlucky not to poke the ball home from close range on the stroke off half
time.
Rearcross did the early attacking in the second half and had claims for
a hand ball turned down after three minutes of play, a long clearance in to the
Rearcross penalty area saw Sean Sheehy come of his line and foul John Mitchell
inside the box who in turn converted with aplomb to complete his hat-trick. Rearcross
showed great resolve and dominated affairs after this, Derek O'Toole opened the
Rearcross account in the 59th minute when he broke down the left flank before
driving to the back of the net for a smashing goal, Rearcross reduced the deficit
to a minimum five minutes later when the ball was scrambled to the net from close
range following good work by Anthony Ryan, it was all to play for at this stage
as Rearcross went in search on an equaliser, however Nenagh Celtic were reduced
to ten men in the 68th minute, play resumed and then referee Shay Donnelly called
time two minutes later.
Nenagh Celtic 'A': Aidan Herlihy,
Mark McKenna, Niall O'Donnell, Derek McKenna, Paul O'Gorman, Colm O'Brien, Darren
Mitchell(Capt.), Paul Kelly, Gary Kevin, Jimmy Hynes, Johnny Mitchell
Subs:
Shane Quigley, Danny Ryan, Noel Tucker, Gerry Noonan
Rearcross 'A'
: Sean Sheehy, PJ McLoughlin, Derek O'Toole(Capt.), Martin McLoughlin, Anthony
Ryan, James Gough, Diarmuid Sheehy, Declan O'Toole, Liam O'Toole, Emmet Steed,
Paul Murphy
Subs: Michael O'Gorman, Ger Kennedy
Referee: Shay Donnelly