Rearcross 'A' 2- Clodiagh Rangers 'A' 1

Rearcross 'A' entertained Clodiagh Rangers in this floodlit Munster Junior Cup game played in Rearcross on Saturday evening and were somewhat fortunate to emerge winners by the odd goal in three. The home side made the better start on Liam Ryan threatened seven minutes in with a low drive that whizzed outside the post. Andy Murphy followed up four minutes later with an effort that finished in the Clodiagh side netting. The Drombane side were also having their moments and Mark Quinlan shot wide on eighteen minutes. Rearcross got the opening goal in the 21st minute when when Liam Ryan slipped the ball through to Andy Murphy who finished to the net on the second attempt. Clodiagh rallied after this setback and a Paul Doyle thunderbolt thumped off the cross bar six minutes later. Rearcross should have had more to show for their efforts in the first half and an Andy Murphy free kick delivery was headed inches wide of the post by PJ McLoughlin.This was following minutes later with a Nigel Ryans looping shot clipped the crossbar after good work by Matthew Ryan Luke. Clodiagh defended sternly in the remaining minutes of the half with Derek O'Toole and Liam Ryan coming close.
Clodiagh were rejuventated in the second half and signalled their intent in the 50th minute when Paul Doyle who had a good outing for the visitors forced a fine save out of Rearcross custodian Sean Sheehy. Clodiagh were dominating the exchanges in the middle of the field and got back on par in the 64th minute when Mark Quinlan bundled the ball over the line from inside the six yard box. The Drombane side failed to build on this equaliser and it was Rearcross that dug deep. Nigel Ryan linked up with Michael O'Gorman before the Clodiagh defence cut out the danger. Andy Murphy restored the Rearcross lead in 72nd minute with a smashing left legged inswinging drive that nestled in the corner of the net. Sean Sheehy was in the action again for the home side with a clean catch sixteen minutes from time. The woodwork denied Rearcross a third when PJ McLoughlin released Michael O'Gorman's who rasping shot rattled the cross before rebounding back in to play. Clodiagh kept plugging and a timely intervention from Paul Murphy saw the Rearcross defender save the day for Rearcross and then Sean Sheehy came the rescue with a point blank save to deny Clodiagh Rangers on a night when the result could have swung either way.

Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Robert Harrington, Brian Sheehy, Paul Murphy, Derek O'Toole, James Gough, Matthew Ryan Luke, Nigel Ryan, PJ McLoughlin, Liam Ryan, Andy Murphy
Subs: Declan O'Toole for Robert Harrington (38th minute), Michael O'Gorman for Andy Murphy( 55th minute), Shane Lenihan for James Gough (79th minute)

Clodiagh Rangers 'A' : James Ryan, Paul English, Brian O'Loughlin, Matt McCullagh, Declan Carr, Matt Ryan, John O'Dwyer, Denis McCullagh, Michael Browne, Mark Quinlan
Subs: Andy Kinnane for Michael Browne
Sub noy used: Keith Ryan

Referee: Pat Gibson