Rearcross 'A' 1 - Nenagh Celtic 'A' 3
Rearcross 'A' played host to Nenagh Celtic 'A' in this Premier Division League tie played at Rearcross FC Grounds on Saturday evening and lost out on a 3-1 score line following poor finishing from the home side and controversial refereeing decisions. Rearcross were well up for this clash following a five nil drubbing in the Shield Final against the same oppostion some two weeks ago. The home side made a positive start and were first to fire on target when Liam Ryan's effort was saved by the Nenagh custodian in the fifth minute. The visitors counter attacked and Nigel Ryan tracked back to make a clincial tackle seconds later. The exchanges were fair and even and Matthew Ryan Luke found space on the left to square to Liam Ryan, the left legged effort was goal bound, however Aidan Herlihy was able to gather. A Nenagh Celtic corner kick on the twentieth minute caused consternation in the Rearcross defence, however Matthew Ryan Luke was brave to block down a pile driver. Rearcross net minder Sean Sheehy raced off his line two minutes later and leaped in to the air to make the catch of the day before sending a long delivery to the edge of the eighteen yard box, Andy Murphy got the touch and struck on target as Aidan Herlihy got down to smother the ball at the post. Rearcross were taking the game to Nenagh Celtic and a long range effort two minutes later was misjudged by Aidan Herlihy in the Celtic goal, the ball finished in the net, however and Andy Murphy was somehow adjudged to have checked the Nenagh keeper and the effort was disallowed much to the dismay of the home side. Rearcross had the visitors on the rack at this stage and Declan O'Toole shot just wide seconds later. Nenagh Celtic took the lead on 26 minutes when Aidan Hurley tackled Arthur Mitchell on the edge of the box, the penalty claims were heard and the referee pointed to the spot, Darren Mitchell made no mistake with a well taken penalty. Rearcross finished the half strongly against the odds and Andy Murphy blasted over ten minutes before break and then a another left legged effort from Liam Ryan was blocked by Aidan Herlihy. The visiting team were buoyed by their one nil lead and a Mark McKenna long range delivery released Danny Ryan who got behind the Rearcross defence and headed over from close range. The frustration of the evening for a determined Rearcross continued as the home side were flashed three yellow cards in the final ten minutes of the opening half.
Rearcross made a good start to the second half, Andy Murphy shot inches wide two minutes in, Rearcross were robbed of an equaliser on 55 minutes when good approach play saw Declan O'Toole's headed effort drift inches over the bar. Liam Ryan swung in a cross from the right three minutes later to Matthew Ryan Luke who made headed contact however the effort glanced wide the post. Matthew Ryan who did well throughout fired a rasper on target, however the Celtic shot stopper did well to parry away from the danger area. Rearcross were surely denied the chance of an equaliser in the 63rd minute when a handball infringement inside the area went unnoticed despite the protestations of the home side. Rearcross had given their all in this high tempo clash and wondered what was required to get the breakthrough. Sean Sheehy saved for Rearcross with seventeen minutes to go as Nenagh Celtic started to get on top, Brian Quinn followed up a minute later with a right footed effort that clipped the woodwork. Sean Sheehy saved again from Brian Quinn seconds later. Nenagh Celtic increased their tally twelve minutes from time when Mark Walsh was the provider on the left to an unmarked Stevie Ryan in the centre who crashed the ball to the back of the net with a clinical finish. Rearcross kept battling and Michael O'Gorman made space to shoot in the 83rd minute, however Aidan Herlihy got behind the well struck effort to make the block. Nenagh Celtic made it three nil when Neil O'Donnell linked up with Brian Quinn who knocked between the posts from close range. Rearcross scored a consolation goal in the 89th minute when John Ryan Luke's low drive went straight to the corner of the net. Rearcross will take the positives from this encounter despite the end result and will regroup for the next league encounter.
Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Robert Harrington, Adrian Hurley, Martin McLoughlin, John Ryan Luke, Declan O'Toole, Nigel Ryan, Matthew Ryan Luke, Liam O'Toole, Andy Murphy, Liam Ryan
Subs: Shane Lenihan for Liam Ryan(71st minute), Michael O'Gorman for Declan O'Toole(80th minute), Davy O'Toole for Adrian Hurley(83rd minute)
Nenagh Celtic 'A': Aidan Herlihy, Patrick Mitchell, Mark McKenna, Mark Walsh, Darren Mitchell, Gary Kevin, Danny Ryan, Noel Tucker, Arthur Mitchell, Brian Quinn
Subs: Stevie Ryan for Gary Kevin (65th minute), Neil O'Donnell for Noel Tucker (65th minute)
Sub Not Used: David Walsh
Referee: Shay Donnelly