Rearcross 'A' 1- Clodiagh Rangers 'A' 1
Clodiagh Rangers won 5 - 4 on penalties
Rearcross bowed out of the Premier Division Shield last Friday evening after an agonising penalty shoot out defeat to Clodiagh Rangers. The home side were much improved from their mid week performance in the Rearcross tournament and played some fine football in stages during this semi final. Their opening chance came after 10 minutes when a Paul Murphy free kick picked out Liam Ryan at the back post however, the Garavane mans header drifted over the crossbar. Rearcross followed this up with shots from James Gough and Declan O’Toole however, the Clodiagh defence did enough to keep the scores level. Liam Ryan was denied a spectacular goal with 10 minutes remaining in the opening half by a superb full stretch save from the Clodiagh keeper after his shot from 30 yards seemed destined for the top corner. At the other end, despite the concession of a number of corners, Sean Sheehy was under little pressure in the Rearcross goal as the home defence was on top with Martin McLoughlin and Robert Harrington to the fore.
Rearcross took a deserved lead 10 minutes into the 2nd half when Davy O’Toole found space outside the penalty area to place a left footed shot over the keeper and into the top corner. The Clodiagh net minder again came to the rescue for the visitors as he did well to tip Michael O’Gormans low drive around the post with 15 minutes remaining. Rearcross followed this up with a chance from Kieran Devitt and a free kick from Paul Murphy which flashed across the goal mouth. However, the home side flagged somewhat at this stage as Clodiagh searched for an equaliser. And indeed, the visitors drew level with only minutes to go as Declan Carr rose highest to power home a corner kick. Rearcross pushed forward again for a winner and their last chance of the game fell to Tommy Ryan (Luke) in the dying moments however, the keeper was once again well positioned to make the save and force the game into penalties.
And for the second game in succession, Rearcross came out the wrong side of a penalty shoot out. Clodiagh were flawless in their execution leaving Sean Sheehy with little chance while Paul Murphy, Kieran Devitt, Declan O’Toole and Michael O’Gorman were on target for the hosts.
Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Robert Harrington, Paul Murphy, Martin McLoughlin, Tommy Ryan (L), Declan O’Toole, Michael O’Gorman, Davy O’Toole, Greg Kennedy, James Gough, Liam Ryan
Subs Used: Liam O’Toole for James Gough, Kieran Devitt for Declan O’Toole,
Subs not Used: Eamonn Wade, PJ McLoughlin
Referee: Jim McGrath
Report Compiled by Tommy Ryan Luke