Rearcross 'A' 4 - Clodiagh Rangers 4

Rearcross 'A' played host to a strong Clodiagh Rangers team last Sunday morning in Rearcross and snatched a last minute equaliser to ensure the spoils were shared, the visitors made a flying start and threatened after three minutes of play when Jody Brennan created an opening, the strong start continued and Jody Brennan put the Drombane side ahead on six minutes after turning and booting to the net when Rearcross failed to deal with a corner kick. Rearcross worked their way back in to the game and Emmet Steed came close following a corner kick in the 11th minute. The home side threatened again three minutes later when Declan O'Toole released Paul Murphy who was unlucky to see his effort rebound off the keeper. Clodiagh then came close when a first time effort from Paul English shaved the outside of the upright. An incessant downpour made the going tough for the remainder of the half, however Rearcross enjoyed the better of the exchanges and grabbed an equaliser with a smashing strike from Nigel Ryan that flew to the top corner of the net.
Rearcross got the ideal start to the second half and a flowing move down the middle found Simon Kennedy in space who drove to the back of the net inside the first minute. Rearcross were rocked three minutes later when Clodiagh Rangers scored two quick fire goals, the first coming from James Ryan who knocked to the net from close range despite protestations from Rearcross for a pushing infringement on keeper Sean Sheehy. Further woe was to follow for the home when the referee pointed to the spot four minutes later after Jody Brennan was adjudged to have been taken down on the edge of the box, Sean Sheehy did well to save the penalty effort, however the visitors were quickest to react and Pat Shortt scrambled the ball to the net on the second attempt. It was end to end stuff after this and PJ McLoughlin pulled it back to three all midway through the half with a well taken goal, Rearcross got on top and laid siege on the Clodiagh goal, an Anthony Ryan pile driver in the 71st minute looked to be goal bound, however the Clodiagh custodian managed to parry the ball over the bar, a Diarmuid Sheehy rasper minutes later was on target, again Paddy Kennedy pushed the ball over the bar. A hectic finish to a thrilling encounter saw Jody Brennan who proved a real handful on the day break through the centre before slicing the ball between the posts with three minutes remaining, Rearcross attacked in droves in the remaining minutes and were rewarded when Simon Kennedy netted his second of the day with a superb effort from outside the box that rattled the crossbar before finishing in the back of the net with just seconds remaining.

Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Anthony Ryan, Derek O'Toole, Simon Kennedy, Damien Mullins, Declan O'Toole, Diarmuid Sheehy, Nigel Ryan, Davy O'Toole, Emmet Steed, Paul Murphy.
Subs: PJ McLoughlin for Davy O'Toole (69th minute), James Gough for Paul Murphy (81st minute)
Sub Not Used: Eamon Devitt

Clodiagh Rangers: Paddy Kennedy, Paul English, Jack Ryan, Denis McCullagh, Michael Browne, James Ryan, Declan Carr, John Tierney, Jody Brennan, Pat Shortt, Liam McCullagh
SubsL John Dwyer for James Ryan, Morgan Greene for John Tierney, John Ryan for Liam McCullagh

Referee: Liam Kelly