Rearcross 'A' 2 - Blackcastle Utd. 'A' 5
Rearcross 'A' were on the wrong end of a 5-2 score line against Blackcastle Utd 'A' in this Premier League game played under lights at Rearcross FC Grounds last Thursday night. Blackcastle made a threatening start and an Eanna Jones header wasn't far away four minutes in. Blackcastle continued to surge forward and Sean Sheehy had to be alert with a body save at the near post five minutes later. The home side got up to the pace of the game after this and a darting run by Nigel Ryan on the right two minutes later looked threatening, however the Templemore rearguard smothered the danger. Rearcross were denied an opener a minute later when Derek O'Toole found space on the left flank, however the resulting delivery rolled agonisingly across the goalmouth. Mark Cahill pulled a superb save out of the Rearcross custodian on 14 minutes with a well struck long range effort that was pushed acrobatically over the bar. Rearcross were enjoying their fair share of possession at this stage and Derek O'Toole's snap shot was parried by Mervyn Bradish midway through the half. The visitors took the lead when a well worked ball through the centre saw Stefan Leahy taking full advantage before slipping the ball under an advancing Sean Sheehy. The home side were let of the hook in the 41st minute when Johnny Coleman swiveled on the edge of the eighteen yard before sending a looping effort inches wide of the far upright. The reprieve was short lived as Blackcastle raced in to a two nil lead within as many minutes when Johnny Coleman turned and let fly to the back of the net from in front of goal.
Blackcastle made a lively start to the second and it was to take a timely tackle from PJ McLoughlin to quell a dangerous move inside the first minute. Rearcross were back in the game on 52 minutes when a speculative Derek O'Toole effort from out on the left finished in the corner of the net, Nigel Ryan was unlucky not to grab an equaliser for the home side two minutes later following a well worked move. A lapse of concentration by the home side allowed Blackcastle in for two quick fire goals in the space of two minutes, the first coming in the 62nd minute when David Fennell's free kick on the right deceived the Rearcross custodian. The killer blow came two minutes later when Stefan Leahy punished a defensive error before rifling to the back of the net. Rearcross had claims for a penalty turned down five minutes later in what appeared to be a blatant handball. Rearcross kept harrying and might have pulled a goal back eleven minutes before the end, however the wrong option was taken and the ball eventually skewed to the left of the upright. Blackcastle continued on the attack and Mark Cahill brought the best out of Sean Sheehy on 85 minutes. Rearcross did pull a goal back in the 88th minute with a well directed header from Nigel Ryan, however Blackcastle were to have the last say on this occasion and tacked on goal number five when Mel McBride booted to the roof of the net from sixteen yards to seal the points for the visitors.
Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Damien Mullins, Declan O'Toole, Simon Kennedy, Diarmuid Sheehy, Nigel Ryan, PJ McLoughlin, John Ryan Luke, Eamon Devitt, James Gough, Derek O'Toole
Paul Murphy for James Gough (Injured), Liam O'Toole for Damien Mullins, Davy O'Toole for Eamon Devitt.
Sub Not Used: Martin McLoughlin
Blackcastle Utd 'A':Mervyn Bradish, David Fennell, Sean McCormack, Cathal Scully, Ricky O'Brien, Mark Cahill, Stephen Owens, Shane Scully, Stefan Leahy, Johnny Coleman, Eanna Jones
Subs Used: Mel McBride for Eanna Jones, Shane Purcell for Stephen Owens, Mick Fennell for Johnny Coleman
Subs Not Used: Joe Shields, Steve Revins, Austin Purcell, Declan Fogarty, Darren Russell
Referee: Liam Kelly