Toomevara 1 - Rearcross 'A' 2
Rearcross 'A' got their league campaign off to a winning start with a hard earned 2-1 victory over a dogged Toomevara side in this Premier Division League played at the Toomevara venue on Sunday morning. Rearcross were first to threaten two minutes in when Andy Murphy got on the end of Liam Ryan's delivery with the headed effort not far away. Toomevara responded two minutes later and Paul Murphy came to the rescue for the visitors with a goal mouth clearance. Both sides were producing good passages of football despite the blustery conditions, Andy Murphy's well struck shot on nineteen minutes was on target, however the Toomevara custodian was well positioned to make the save. Toomevara were also very much in the game and were unlucky with two efforts that whizzed just outside the upright. Rearcross took the lead in the 27th minute with a smashing goal when a move started by Sean Sheehy and involving Robert Harrington and Nigel Ryan saw the Toor man send Liam Ryan through on goal, the finish was sublime as the ball was blasted straight to the roof of the net. Toomevara came back at Rearcross and the visitors breathed a sigh of relief five minutes later when Robbie Ryan's overhead kick was inches away from the target. Toomevara's net minder Steven Morrissey did well to get behind Nigel Ryan's well struck free kick second's later. Rearcross made a promising start to the second half and Liam Ryan fired on target eight minutes after the restart, however the effort was gathered by the Toomeara shot stopper. Rearcross had the ball in the net on 62 minutes after Nigel Ryan's effort struck the underside of the crossbar, the ball came back in to play to Andy Murphy who rifled to the back of the net however the effort was ruled out for an adjudged offside infringement.
Andy Murphy followed up a minute later with another effort that was on target, again Morrissey in the Toomevara goal made the block. Toomevara nearly got back on par with 24 minutes remaining when Toomevara were quick to react and Marty Ryan's flicked effort was goalbound however Adrian Hurley had read the situation to perfection and got back to make a dramatic goal line clearance.This proved to be a turning point as the visitors broke on the counter attack, Andy Murphy did the work on the left before unleashing a well directed effort, Liam Ryan nipped in an knocked the ball over the goal line with the most delicate of touches. Toomevara upped the ante despite the deficit and it took a fine clearance from Matthew Ryan Luke on the hour mark to quell the danger. The home side reduced the deficit a minute later when Rearcross lost possession, Sean Sheehy saved on the first attempt, however Marty Ryan was available to bundle the ball over the line from close range. Rearcross had it all to do at this stage and stuck to their task well, a fine piece of individual skill saw Andy Murphy come close with a good effort. Rearcross defended in numbers to the end and the last piece of action saw Sean Sheehy gather on the second attempt, the final whistle was sounded seconds later to hand Rearcross all three points.
Best of luck to Eamon Devitt who is departing for a twelve month overseas study sabattical.
Toomevara: Steven Morrissey, Killian O'Neill, Tommy Hogan, Damien Bentley, JP O'Meara, Martin Mitchell, Sean Delaney, Robbie Ryan, Marthy Ryan, Paul Doyle, Tomas Hogan
Subs: Tony Delaney, Connor O'Neill, James Ryan, Timmy Fleming
Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Robert Harrington, Adrian Hurley, Paul Murphy, Martin McLoughlin, Declan O'Toole, Nigel Ryan, Matthew Ryan Luke(Capt.), Liam Nolan(B), Andy Murphy, Liam Ryan
Subs: Davy O'Toole for Declan O'Toole, Eamon Devitt for Paul Murphy
Sub Not Used: Joey Nolan
Referee: Liam Kelly