Cloughjordan 'A' 0 - Rearcross 'A' 1

Rearcross 'A' trekked to Cloughjordan last Sunday morning missing a number of regulars and produced a fine performance to record a merited one nil win against Cloughjordan 'A' in the Premier Division.. The home side made the better start and Rearcross Youths goalkeeper Bobby Carroll had to be alert to make a good save in the 5th minute. Kevin Kennedy then came close for the hosts with a well worked effort three minutes later. Rearcross worked their way in to the game and an Adrian Hurley free kick midway through the half was on target, however Cloughjordan keeper Peter Hennelly did well to turn the ball over the bar. Tommy Ryan Luke came to the rescue for Rearcross on the half hour mark with a well timed clearance off the goal line. Rearcross went ahead ten minutes before half time when Martin McLoughlin picked out Liam Nolan with a headed pass who in turn threaded the ball through to PJ McLoughlin who sent a delightful first time flick to the corner of the net. The home side enjoyed a period of dominance just before half time and a back peddling Bobby Carroll knocked the ball on the crossbar and out for a corner. Rearcross survived a late onslaught after this and were relieved to hear the half time whistle.
Rearcross might have extended their lead eight minutes in to the second half when good play on the left saw the Cloughjordan custodian parry back in to play, Eamon Gleeson was unlucky as the ball bobbled and broke away from the danger area. Adrian Hurley wasn't far off minutes later with an effort that was just outside the post. Cloughjordan were very much in the game and a Brendan Costello free kick from out on the left in the 59th minute dipped just over the bar. Then the home side had claims for a penalty turned down midway through the half. An in form PJ McLoughlin was unlucky not to add his second of the day when his daisy cutting free kick crept just beyond the upright on 62 minutes. Cloughjordan kept plugging and a Kevin Kennedy free kick flew over the bar with twenty minutes remaining. Eamon Gleeson made a fine tackle to quell a Cloughjordan attack with eight minutes remaining and it seemed there was going to be no way through for Cloughjordan on this occasion. Eamon Gleeson was in the action again minutes later after a darting run on the left was followed by a delicate chip that came off the underside of the crossbar and back in to play as Matthew Ryan Luke appeared to have been shackled in his effort to bundle the ball over the line, however play was waved on. Rearcross had victory in their sights and Adrian Hurley found space on the left to get a shot in, however the ball lifted over the bar. Cloughjordan made a last grasp effort to get something from the tie, however Rearcross defended gallantly to secure an improbable victory. Credit to all Rearcross players who played their hearts out on the day.

Cloughjordan 'A': Peter Hennelly, John Deane, Eoin Killackey, Ruan Casey, Niall Farrell, Colm Williams, Donal Costello, Seamus Williams, Shane Williams, Brendan Costello, Kevin Kennedy
Subs: Paul Killackey, Johnny Fitzgerald, Liam Murphy, Leo Banaghan

Rearcross 'A': Bobby Carroll, Tommy Ryan Luke, Liam Nolan(B), Martin McLoughlin, John Ryan Luke, Robert Harrington, Matthew Ryan Luke, PJ McLoughlin, Adrian Hurley, Eamon Gleeson, Larry McLoughin,
Subs: Davy Ryan Luke for Larry McLoughlin, Greg Kennedy for Matthew Ryan Luke
Sub Not Used: Ger Kennedy

Referee: David Donnelly.

Rearcross FC’s Adrian Hurley closes in on Cloughjordan’s Donal Costello.

Cloughjordan’s Colm Williams clears away from the danger area with Rearcross FC’s Larry McLoughlin in close pursuit.

 

Rearcross ‘A’
Back Row (L to R): Noel Deegan, Greg Kennedy, Matthew Ryan Luke, Tommy Ryan Luke, Martin McLoughlin, Eamon Gleeson,
John Ryan Luke, Davy Ryan Luke, Brendan Deegan
Front Row (L to R): PJ McLoughlin, Robert Harrington, Bobby Carroll, Larry McLoughlin, Adrian Hurley, Adam Hurley, Liam Nolan,
Tristan Deegan, Amber Deegan, Cillian Kennedy

 

Cloughjordan ‘A’
Back Row (L to R): Brendan Costello, John Deane, Niall Farrell, Shane Williams, Ruan Casey, Eoin Killackey
Front Row (L to R): Donal Costello, Seamus Williams, Peter Hennelly, Kevin Kennedy, Colm Williams.