Rearcross 'A' 3 - Toomevara 2
Rearcross 'A' missing a number of regulars turned in a fine performance last Sunday morning against Toomevara to progress to the Quarter final of the Ricky Fogarty Cup on a 3-2 score line, the opening exchanges were evenly shared with both sides stringing some good moves, Davy O'Toole harried in the 9th minute and won a corner kick, however the visitors dealt well with the resulting corner kick. This was followed three minutes later with some fine football from the home side, however Toomevara custodian John Norton was able to gather. Toomevara went ahead in the 24th minute when Rearcross squandered possession and the visitors took full advantage after the ball was squared to Robbie Ryan who sent a first time thunderbolt to the back of the net from outside the eighteen yard box. PJ McLoughlin was enjoying a fine outing on the right and sent a teasing ball across the Toomevara goalmouth four minutes later. Rearcross were rocked on the half hour mark when the visitors were given way to much room on the left before the ball fell to Marty Ryan who knocked home from close range. Rearcross pulled a goal back in the 44th minute when clever play from John Ryan Luke saw Declan O'Toole advance on the right before sending a pile driver to the back of the net.
There was still time for a counter attack and Robbie Ryan's overhead kick a minute later saw Rearcross keeper Anthony Ryan produce a superb reflex save to turn the ball around the post. Rearcross showed strongly in the second half and PJ McLoughlin combined well 12 minutes in, however John Norton was on hand to make the save. Toomevara were also having their moments and it was to take a goal mouth header from Diarmuid Sheehy five minutes later to deny the visitors. Rearcross counter attacked with Emmet Steed linking up with PJ McLoughlin, however the Toomevara rearguard closed in to avert the danger. Toomevara had the ball in the Rearcross net in the 66th minute with the effort disallowed for an offside infringement. Rearcross had claims for a penalty turned down minutes later, however Rearcross did draw level on 71 minutes when good play involving Sean Mullins and Declan O'Toole saw the ball break to Diarmuid Sheehy whose low daisy cutter finished just inside the upright. The initiative was now with the home side and Rearcross were unlucky not to go ahead when a darting run from Davy O'Toole on the left saw the ball break to Declan O'Toole, however the ball didn't fall too kindly and the follow up shot flew wide of the far upright. Kevin Mullins followed up two minutes later with a well struck shot, however John Norton was well positioned to save. Rearcross grabbed a dramatic winner with two minutes remaining when John Ryan Luke picked out PJ McLoughlin on the right, the resulting through ball saw Davy O'Toole out pace his marker before sending a sensational strike to the back of the net, Toomevara gave their all in the remaining minutes, however Rearcross defended stubbornly to book their place in the Quarter Final of the competition.
Rearcross 'A': Anthony Ryan, Eamon Devitt, Kevin Mullins, Simon Kennedy, Damien Mullins, Declan O'Toole, John Ryan Luke, Diarmuid Sheehy(Capt), PJ McLoughlin, Emmet Steed, Davy O'Toole
Subs: Sean Mullins for Emmet Steed (68th minute), Tommy Ryan Luke for PJ McLoughlin (89th minute)
Sub Not Used: Ger Kennedy
Toomevara: John Norton, JP O'Meara, Tim Flemming, Bobby McLoughlin, Pat McGrath, Terry Delaney, Trevor Galvin, Robbie Ryan, Niall McCormack, Marty Ryan, Seamus Maher
Sub: Sean Delaney for Terry Delaney
Referee:Jimmy McCarthy