Toomevara 2 - Rearcross 'A' 3

Rearcross 'A' faced a tough away assignment against Toomevara in the Premier Division last Sunday and came through with a hard earned 3-2 victory. Toomevara who had gone through a six match unbeaten run were slow to settle as Rearcross enjoyed early dominance, Nigel Ryan came close on the 16th minute mark, James Gough followed up with an effort from in front of goal that pulled to the right of the upright two minutes later. Emmet Steed released PJ McLoughlin, however John Norton in the Toomevara goal was able to make the save. Rearcross had won successive corners and it was a low delivery from a Nigel Ryan corner in the 23rd minute that saw the ball lobbed at the Toomevara custodian, Emmet Steed's persistence paid off as he knocked the ball to the net from close range. Toomevara's best chance of the half came three minutes later when Sean Sheehy was forced to make a fine reflex change after the home side fired on target following a corner kick. Rearcross raced in to a two lead with sixteen minutes remaining in the half when James Gough harried and broke through the centre to send low drive to the net. The visitors let Toomevara back in to the game in the 33rd minute when a Terry Delaney free kick sailed to the corner of the net following a mix up. Rearcross strung some good passing movements together before the half time whistle with Derek O'Toole very much to the fore and came closest on 43 minutes when an Eamon Devitt delivery through the centre only needed a deft flick, however the chance went a begging.
Rearcross got the second half off to a nightmare start for the second running when the ball was swung in from the left, indecision in the Rearcross rearguard allowed Joseph Bako to poke the ball home at the near post with only seconds gone on the clock. Rearcross regrouped and were unlucky not to edge ahead two minutes later when James Gough made space on the right, however the Toomevara custodian advanced to make a fine block. PJ McLoughlin was then through on the Toomevara goal in the 38th minute, however the Toomevara rearguard closed in to smother the danger. Diarmuid Sheehy fired on target in the 55th minute with the effort deflected out for a corner kick. Rearcross went ahead again on the hour mark when intricate play involving Damien Mullins, Nigel Ryan and James Gough saw the ball breaking to Emmet Steed who turned and rifled to the corner of the net. Rearcross had to defend in numbers after this and held on to grind out a hard earned three points with Simon Kennedy and Damien Mullins turning in admirable defensive performances.

Toomevara: John Norton, Seamus Maher, Niall McCormack, JP O'Meara, Pat McGrath, Joseph Bako, Terry Delaney, Robbie Ryan, Tim Fleming, Marty Ryan, Thomas Sheppard
Subs: Garry Delaney for Tim Fleming
Sub Not Used: Thomas Hogan

Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Eamon Devitt, Derek O'Toole, Simon Kennedy, Damien Mullins, James Gough, Diarmuid Sheehy, PJ McLoughlin, Liam Nolan(B), Emmet Steed, Nigel Ryan
Subs: Declan O'Toole for James Gough (80th minute),
Subs Not Used: Sean Mullins, Anthony Ryan, Davy O'Toole

Referee: Shay Donnelly