Rearcross 'A' 3 - Moneygall 'A' 2
Moneygall were the visitors to Rearcross FC Grounds on Saturday evening for this Premier Division encounter against Rearcross 'A', the visitors made a lively start and threatened with darting runs on the flanks, Rearcross keeper Jim Caplis had to alert to get behind a Billy Hayes shot in the sixth minute. Rearcross counter attacked and Simon Kennedy found space on the left to fire over from a tight angle. The visitors however looked the more likely score in the early phases and the opener came on sixteen minutes a move on the right saw Billy Hayes pulled the ball back to Joe Callaghan who side footed the ball past an outstretched Jim Caplis. Rearcross lifted their game after this setback and a well struck Damien Mullins shot was blocked down by the Moneygall defence. The visitors lead was to be short lived however and Martin McLoughlin had the home side back on par after heading Derek O'Toole's corner to the net in the 17th minute. The Moneygall custodian save from PJ McLoughlin on 25 minutes, however there was little Padraic Greene could do five minutes later when a pin point delivery from John Ryan Luke found PJ McLoughlin in space who advanced on goal before sending a sublime effort to the corner of the net. Billy Hayes came close for the visitors three minutes later with a snap shot effort that flew over the cross bar. Rearcross were denied a third with ten minutes remaining in the half when a cross from John Ryan Luke was met by PJ McLoughlin with the headed effort inches over. Jim Caplis came to the rescue for Rearcross a minute later after diving full length to push the ball outside the upright. Rearcross made the early running in the second half and Rearcross extended their lead after PJ McLoughlin was upended in the box, Nigel Ryan made no mistake with the resulting penalty. Rearcross were enjoying the better of the exchanges and Derek O'Toole squared to James Gough who Moneygall closed in to avert the danger. The woodwork was to deny Rearcross midway through the half when Declan O'Toole's effort rebounded off the upright. Moneygall pulled a goal back when slack defensive play allowed Mike Muldowney to slip the ball to the back of the net from close range. Rearcross grafted well after this to thwart a Moneygall outfit that pushed hard for the equaliser and might and added a fourth two minutes from time when Derek O'Toole prodded the ball to Declan O'Toole who's shot pulled to the right of the upright, however it matter little as Rearcross had done enough on the night to secure the points.
Rearcross 'A': Jim Caplis, John Ryan Luke, Martin McLoughlin, Simon Kennedy, Eamon Devitt, Nigel Ryan, Damien Mullins, Declan O'Toole, PJ McLoughlin, James Gough, Derek O'Toole
Subs Used: Diarmuid Sheehy for Martin McLoughlin, Liam Nolan(B) for James Gough, Davy O'Toole for PJ McLoughlin
Subs Not Used: Eamon Gleeson
Moneygall 'A': Padraic Greene, Philip Fanning, Mark Moroney, Sean Kennedy, Rob Jones, Joe Callaghan, Stephen Maher, Colm O'Brien, Billy Hayes, Mike Muldowney, Brian Williams
Subs: Mike Ryan, Tommy Deveraux, Mark Walshe
Referee: Toddy Sweeney