Moneygall 'A' 1 - Rearcross 'A' 1
Rearcross 'A' were the visitors to Moneygall for this Premier Division league game against Moneygall 'A' and earned a share of the spoils following a lively encounter against the home side. Rearcross missing a number of regulars were quick to get in to this game and created the opening chance of the game when PJ McLoughlin scooped the ball over the Moneygall cross bar after four minutes of play. The game was being played at a lively pace and the home side had claims for a penalty turned down when the referee waved play on after ten minutes. Moneygall won a corner kick two minutes later, the resulting kick clipped the underside of the crossbar before coming back in to play in what was a close call for visitors. Rearcross were playing with fluency and a long throw from Diarmuid Sheehy picked out Robert Harrington who swung in the cross, however Moneygall closed in to avert the danger. Moneygall took the lead on the half hour mark when disarray in the Rearcross defence saw the ball break to David Gleeson who made no mistake with a powerfully struck shot from in front of goal. Rearcross made strong finish to the half and a Derek O'Toole effort wasn't far off seven minutes before the break and then a well struck shot from Simon Kennedy flew over the woodwork on the stroke of half time. Rearcross did the early attacking in the second half and got back on par seven minutes in to the half when Derek O'Toole's free kick from outside the box was floated across the danger area to the inrushing Larry McLoughlin who powered a headed goal to the back of the net after Diarmuid Sheehy had cause the the diversion. Rearcross were on top at this stage and Simon Kennedy forced a good save out of the Moneygall custodian two minutes later and then Derek O'Toole threatened with a long range pile driver. Moneygall were still very much in the game and the central defensive partnership of Martin McLoughlin and Simon Kennedy had to be at their best to quell the threat. Larry McLoughlin might have grabbed his second of the day on 58 minutes, however the effort went over the bar. Rearcross breathed a sigh of relief when Joe Callaghan fired over on the hour mark. Derek O'Toole departed the fray with a hamstring injury, however replacement Brian Sheehy came on and turned in an impressive display for the visiting team. Rearcross custodian Sean Sheehy proved his worth with two fine saves to keep the score line intact before Moneygall protested that the Rearcross net minder had gathered the ball outside the area. Rearcross kept plugging and a Liam Nolan shot pulled outside the post and then a well worked move in the 87th minute saw PJ McLoughlin take up a good position inside the box whose shot looked certain to finish in the corner, however a cruel deflection meant that the spoils were shared on the day.
Moneygall 'A': Pauric Greene, Aidan Ryan, Robert Jones, Tadgh Kennedy, Mark Moroney, David Gleeson, Eamon McCormack, Bryan Williams, Colm O'Brien, Michael Muldowney, Billy Hayes
Subs: Joe Callaghan for Eamon McCormack
Subs Not Used: Mark Walshe, Sean Kennedy, Martin Deane.
Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Robert Harrington, Liam Nolan (B), Martin McLoughlin, Simon Kennedy, Declan O'Toole, Diarmuid Sheehy, PJ McLoughlin, Larry McLoughlin, Eamon Devitt, Derek O'Toole
Sub: Brian Sheehy for Derek O'Toole
Sub Not Used: Ger Kennedy
Referee: Liam Kelly
