Nenagh AFC 'A' 3 - Rearcross 'A' 1
Rearcross 'A' bowed out of the Ricky Fogarty Cup at the semi-final stages against Nenagh AFC 'A' last Friday evening in Islandbawn on a 3-1 score line, the opening exchanges were evenly shared and the visitors forced two corners early on which were both cleared to safety, PJ McLoughin broke on the right on eight minutes before swinging the ball across the Nenagh goalmouth, however the opportunity went a begging. Nenagh's Paul Tucker advanced down the right flank in the 11th minute before sending a daisy cutter just wide of the upright. Rearcross keeper Sean Sheehy made a smart side to deny the home side five minutes later. It was end to end stuff at this stage and a Derek O'Toole shot wasn't far over on the 25 minute mark. Rearcross were defending well and Eamon Devitt got a vital headed touch to snuff out a dangerous ball with fourteen minutes remaining. Johnny O'Gorman combined with Darren O'Gorman in the 38th minute, however the headed effort drifted over the target. Rearcross had more than matched the Premier Division champions up to this point and were dealt a sucker blow a minute later when Nenagh stole the ball on the right and it was Paul Tucker who found space to send a cracking effort to the corner of the net. Rearcross regrouped and made a bright start to the second half with Nigel Ryan doing well to get in a headed effort two minutes after the restart. PJ McLoughlin produced a fine defensive tackle three minutes later to thwart the home side. Nenagh's Michael O'Gorman was a threat and came close in the 58th minute. Nenagh doubled their tally on 63 minutes after intercepting the ball when Rearcross looked to be through on goal, the counter attack saw the ball break to Michael O'Gorman who was pin point accurate with a fine effort from outside the box. Rearcross didn't throw in the towel after this and came back at Nenagh, a Nigel Ryan effort wasn't far off the Nenagh target a minute later. Simon Kennedy was effective after moving to a midfield role and got in on the action with a strike that pulled just left of the post. Rearcross were camped in the Nenagh area after this winning three successive corners, the Nenagh custodian produced a superb reflex save to turn Davy O'Tooles headed effort over the bar. Rearcross were back in the game with nineteen minutes remaining when Nigel Ryan's headed effort finished in the net. Rearcross attacked in droves after this and were luckless with Davy O'Toole and Simon Kennedy coming closest for the visitors. The home side got in for a third goal in the 90th minute when Stefan Olah was on hand to knock to the net from close range to copper fasten the win for the Nenagh side. Rearcross will be disappointed not to have taken something from this game after turning in a whole hearted performance and will now focus their attention to next season.
Nenagh AFC 'A': Robbie Ryan, Paul Tucker, Paul Cullen, Gary McCormack, Shane O'Gorman, John O'Gorman, Michael O'Gorman, Darren O'Gorman, Andy Chadwick, Trevor Morrissey Stefan Olah, David Chadwick
Subs: Martin Donnellan for Darren O'Gorman, John Donnellan for Paul Tucker, Trevor Morrissey for Andy Chadwick
Subs Not Used: Timmy Spellman, Arron Savage, Sean Healy.
Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Eamon Devitt, Derek O'Toole, Simon Kennedy, Damien Mullins, PJ McLoughlin, Sean Mullins, Nigel Ryan, Declan O'Toole, Emmet Steed, Davy O'Toole
Subs: Davy O'Toole for PJ McLoughin (59th minute), Paul Murphy for Emmet Steed (66th minute), Kevin Mullins for Eamon Devitt (68th minute),
Subs Not Used: Anthony Ryan, Jim Caplis, James Gough
Referee: David Donnelly
Assistant Referee's: Shay Donnelly, Jim McGrath