Kilmanahan Utd. 2 - Rearcross 'A' 1
Rearcross A bowed out of this years FAI Junior Cup with a 2 -1 away defeat to Kilmanahan United last Sunday afternoon. The visitors who were missing a number of regulars played into a strong wind and a blinding sun in the first half and were on the back foot from the off as the home side dominated possession. Jim Caplis was called on repeatedly during the opening quarter to keep the scoreline intact as the Kilmanahan attack proved a handful from both open play and set pieces. The home side were held out until the half hour mark when they took a deserved lead as a deep cross to the back post broke kindly for Kilmanahan and their striker did not need a second invitation to blast the ball home from close range. Rearcross were unlucky not to fall further behind 5 minutes later as a quick counter attack caught the Rearcross defence out of position but Jim Caplis made a fine save with his feet. This save proved extremely important as Rearcross went on to draw level moments later as good interplay in midfield saw Andy Murphy find his strike partner Michael O’Gorman on the edge of the penalty. And last seasons Youths player of the year did well to turn his marker before placing the ball in the far corner to leave the sides all square at the break. Both the elements and the impetus were now with Rearcross and were on top from most of an entertaining 2nd half. However the hosts had the first real chance of the half as Robert Harrington was called upon to clear the ball off the line after 55 minutes. They followed this up with a shot from the edge of the area which hit the post before being cleared by Jim Caplis. Rearcross responded with efforts from Andy Murphy and Michael O’Gorman which weren’t far off the mark. The all important 3rd goal came with 20 minutes remaining as the home side took the lead once more. A quickly taken corner kick caught the Rearcross defence flat footed and a low shot to the corner left Jim Caplis with little chance. Rearcross threw everything they had at their Waterford opponents in attempt to force the match into extra time. However they met stubborn resistance and failed to create any clear cut chances and in the end their effort proved fruitless in the end as time ran out.
Rearcross A: Jim Caplis, Robert Harrington, Paul Murphy, Brian Sheehy, Tommy Ryan (Luke), Davy Ryan (Luke), Matthew Ryan (Luke), Declan O’Toole, Andy Murphy, Michael O’Gorman
Subs : Martin McLoughlin for Nigel Ryan, Greg Kennedy for Declan O’Toole, James Gough for Brian Sheehy
Sub not Used: Shane Lenihan
Report Compiled by Tommy Ryan Luke