Blackcastle 'A' 0 - Rearcross 3

|Rearcross travelled to Templemore last Friday evening for their final league game of the season and pulled off a resounding three nil result against Blackcastle 'A' to secure Premier Division status against all the odds after claiming nine points from the their last three league games including wins against Nenagh AFC 'A' and Borrisoleigh. Rearcross had a full complement of players available for this crucial fixture and needed to be at full strength against a Blackcastle side that were chasing a runners up spot in the Premier Division, the opening exchanges were lively and intense as both sides tried to gain a foothold. Mel McBride was a threat up front as usual and Robert Harrington did well to shepherd the ball out over the end line on twelve minutes to quell the Blackcastle striker. Diarmuid Sheehy threaded through to Paul Murphy in the 15th minute with the resulting effort skidding just wide of the Blackcastle upright. It was end to end at this stage and David Fennell fired over Sean Sheehy's cross bar from in front of goal a minute later. Blackcastle were denied on seventeen minutes when Mel Bride made space inside the box, however Robert Harrington had read the situation to perfection and closed in to avert the danger. Sean Sheehy was in the action for Rearcross sixteen minutes before the break with a good block. Rearcross were showing strongly towards the end of the half and blitzed Blackcastle with a hat-trick of goals in a four minute period and that left the home side reeling. The first came in the 36th minute when Tommy Ryan Luke swung in the delivery from the left to Paul Murphy who headed home from just outside the six yard box. The visitors were two nil ahead two minutes when a fine passing movement initiated by stalwart Diarmuid Sheehy saw Declan O'Toole's low drive hitting the inside of the post before finishing in the side netting. The home side were rocked at this stage and Paul Murphy's looping shot clipped the top of the cross bar seconds later. Rearcross increased their tally to three in the 40th minute when Paul Murphy's effort from out on the right finished in the net to leave the visitors in the driving seat at the half time whistle.
As expected, Blackcastle came strong at the start of the second half and staunch defending by Martin McLoughlin, Diarmuid Sheehy Tommy Ryan Luke and Robert Harrington kept the Templemore side at bay during this vital period of the game as an early goal might have give Blackcastle a life line, however Rearcross stood firm and weathered the storm. Seam Mullins came close for Rearcross with a fine effort in the 54th minute which was somehow blocked out for a corner kick. Rearcross were let off the hook two minutes later when the ball skirmished across the goal mouth and should have been finished to the net. Derek O'Toole's well struck effort wasn't far away on the hour mark. Michael O'Gorman did well after being introduced and put in the cross from the right on 72 minutes, however Blackcastle's Mark Cahill booted to safety. Michael O'Gorman broke in the right again a minute later before sending a pin point cross to Sean Mullins who jumped highest to get the headed touch but was luckless as the effort was deflected out for a corner kick. Blackcastle custodian Dean Loughnane saved from Sean Mullins with twelve minutes to go as time was running out for a home side that didn't throw in the towel. Sean Sheehy produced the save of the game in the 78th minute after advancing to make a point blank save. Cathal Leahy then came close for the Templemore side with a cracking effort from outside the area that was inches over the bar. Rearcross had victory and Premier Division survival in sight and played with gusto to the final whistle to secure the vital and deserved win in the end against a Blackcastle side that never recovered from the three goal hit in the opening half. Ironically, it was the last time that Rearcross will play Blackcastle Utd as Blackcastle will amalgamate with Templemore Schools from next season onwards and will be known as BT Harps. Full credit to all Rearcross FC players for pulling off the great escape against all the odds in what was a real "ná géill go deo" effort and we can now to look forward to next season with great positivity.

 

Blackcastle 'A': Dean Loughnane, Ricky O'Brien, David Fennell, Stefan Leahy, Joe Shields, Johnny Coleman, Mark Cahill, Mel McBride, Cathal Leahy, James Kavanagh, Sean McCormack,
Subs: Joe Shields for Ricky O'Brien (41st minute), Cathal Leahy for Michael Leahy(72nd minute),

Rearcross: Sean Sheehy, Tommy Ryan Luke, Robert Harrington, Martin McLoughlin, Diarmuid Sheehy, Declan O'Toole, Derek O'Toole, PJ McLoughlin, Greg Kennedy, Paul Murphy, Sean Mullins
Subs: Michael O'Gorman for Paul Murphy (70th minute), Liam Ryan for Sean Mullins(80th minute), James Gough for Declan O'Toole (88th minute)
Subs Not Used: Davy Ryan Luke, John Ryan Luke, Tommy Kennedy

 

Referee: Liam Kelly