Nenagh AFC 'A' 3 - Rearcross 'A' 1
Rearcross 'A' travelled to Islandbawn for this Premier League fixture against Nenagh AFC 'A' and came home empty handed following a three goals to one defeat. The visitors got a dream start when Derek O'Toole's well struck shot deceived the Nenagh custodian. Last season's Premier Division winners regrouped and came close with a John Mitchell effort that was well saved by Sean Sheehy midway through the half. Nenagh were back on par with eighteen minutes remaining in the half when Michael O'Gorman found space on the edge of the box before sending a low drive to the corner of the net. Rearcross defended stoutly after this and Martin McLoughlin did well to block down a Johnny O'Gorman shot. Rearcross enjoyed some dominance towards the end of the half and a long range snap shot from Diarmuid Sheehy wasn't far away in the 33rd minute, this was followed a minute later with a well struck pile driver from John Ryan Luke which pulled just wide of the upright. Nenagh showed strongly at the start of the second half and edged in front after two minutes of play when Michael O'Gorman out paced the Rearcross rearguard before delivering the ball across the goal mouth where Dearan O'Gorman was available to tap in from close range.
Rearcross were rocked two minutes later when Michael O'Gorwan waltzed through on the end line before slicing the ball to back of the net from an acute angle. Rearcross didn't throw in the towel and came close in the 57th minute when a Derek O'Toole free kick was met by Damien Mullins who headed to Simon Kennedy with the volleyed effort flying over the bar. A well timed tackle from Declan O'Toole thwarted a dangerous Nenagh attack three minutes later and then Michael O'Gorman's effort clipped the Rearcross crossbar on 83 minutes. Rearcross had claims for a penalty turned down with five minutes remaining and a goal at that stage would have set the game up for an interesting finale, however it was not to be and Nenagh held firm to the final whistle.
Nenagh AFC 'A': Robbie Ryan, Andy Chadwick. Paul Cullen, Shane O'Gorman, Paul Tucker, Paul Kelly, Johnny O'Gorman, Michael Hogan, Michael O'Gorman, Dearan O'Gorman, John Mitchell
Subs Used: Martin Donnellan, Kevin Tucker, Timmy Spellman
Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Damien Mullins, Eamon Devitt, Simon Kennedy, Martin McLoughlin, Declan O'Toole, Diarmuid Sheehy, John Ryan Luke, Davy O'Toole, Derek O'Toole, James Gough
Subs: Liam O'Toole, Robert Harrington (Both Used)
Referee: Shay Donnelly