Rearcross 1 - Toomevara 2

Rearcross were at home to Toomevara in this crucial bottom of the table clash and conceded in the 88th minute to end up on the wrong end of a 2-1 score line. Rearcross should have been in control at the midway stage of this encounter but were luckless up front which was to prove detrimental in the end. Rearcross made all the early running and Andy Murphy's strike pulled wide of the upright in the 3rd minute. Rearcross might have gone in front on the five minute mark when the ball broke to Liam Ryan on the edge of the six yard following a goal mouth skirmish, however Timmy Fleming in the Toomevara goals was able to gather. Rearcross did take the lead a minute later when John Ryan Luke's long range free kick effort floated through the centre of the defence and all the way to the back of the net. Toomevara started to come in to the game as the half wore on and Francis Devanney shot wide of the upright in the 17th minute. Paul Murphy stepped in to the action for Rearcross three minutes with a decisive cut out at the expense of a corner minutes later. Toomevara got back on par on 24 minutes when a ball through the middle was not dealt with and Oran Quirke took full advantage and raced through to slip the ball to the corner of the net. Rearcross came back at Toomevara and Liam Ryan's effort wasn't far away two minutes later. Francis Devanny was in the action again two minutes before the break with a well struck shot that pulled away from the target. Rearcross were unlucky not to restore their lead with seconds remaining in the half when Andy Murphy crossed to Robert Harrington, however the ball didn't ball too kindly and the chance went a begging.
The second half was well contested and the Rearcross custodiam did well to save on the second attempt from a Paul Doyle effort two minutes in to the half. Rearcross threatened in 59th minute when Andy Murphy swung in the cross to PJ McLoughlin with claims for pulling going unheard as the ball flew away from the danger area. Timmy Fleming produced the save of the game with 20 minutes remaining after diving full length to turn Andy Murphy's pop shot around the post. The game was on a knife edge and Rearcross were reduced to ten men four minutes from the end. Toomevara snatched the winner with two minutes to go when substitute Robbie Ryan raced through on the right before lofting the ball to the back of the net with the deftest of finishes to leave Rearcross deep in the relegation zone.

 

Rearcross: Sean Sheehy, Tommy Ryan Luke(Capt.), Paul Murphy, Derek O'Toole, John Ryan Luke, Robert Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Sean Mullins, Davy Ryan Luke, Liam Ryan, Andy Murphy.

Subs: Matthew Ryan Luke for Davy Ryan Luke, PJ McLoughlin for Liam Ryan, Liam O'Toole for Robert Harrington
Sub Not Used: Martin McLoughlin

 

Toomevara: Timmy Fleming, Seamus Maher, JP O'Meara, Tony Delaney, Damien Bentley, Sean Delaney, Darren Delaney, Mark Harty, Oran Quirke, Paul Doyle, Francis Devaney.
Subs: James Ryan for Mark Harty, Stephen Morrissey for Francis Devaney, Robbie Ryan for Seamus Maher

 

Referee: Toddy Sweeney