Wilderness Rovers 3 - Rearcross 'A' 1
A strong 19 man Rearcross panel made the lengthy trip to Clonmel last Sunday to face Wilderness Rovers in the first round of the FAI Junior cup. The Tipperary Southern & District Premier League side were undoubted favourites heading into the tie, yet as the first half progressed it was the visitors Rearcross from the North Tipp & District League who were pressing for the opener. The opportunity to take the lead manifested itself to the visitors on the twenty minute mark when a beautifully floated corner from the right hand side was met in transit by a soaring Martin Mc Loughlin. The ball, to Mc Loughlin’s delight and to the home team’s dismay, smashed into the top right hand corner of the net and an upset looked to be on the cards. Rearcross played well after this with Martin Mc Loughlin and Diarmuid Sheehy steady at the back, while Liam Ryan (R) and Davy O’ Toole worked hard up front. Disaster struck on the 35 minute mark for the away side however as a Jonas Kerr cross from the left hand side of the 18 yard box bypassed players and oncoming goalkeeper Sean Sheehy alike and ended up in the back of the Rearcross net. The momentum was now with the home side and two minutes later the lead was secured thanks to a Sean O'Hara smashing half volley from just outside the box which left the Rearcross players somewhat dejected and demoralised heading into the break. The second half saw several half chances for the away side however, most notably from corners, yet alas it was not to be. As Rearcross pushed for an equaliser the dynamic Wilderness striker “Dino” Sean O'Hara turned and swivelled his marker and finished to the right hand corner of the net on the 65th minute mark, leaving the away side with a mountain to climb. Rearcross kept battling to the end, a Simon Kennedy through ball almost carving out an opening for Michael O’ Gorman near the finish, yet the scoreline remained the same until the final whistle in what was a most sporting game of football. A trip to Moneygall in the second round of the Munster Junior Cup awaits Rearcross next week.
Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Robert Harrington (Capt.), Diarmuid Sheehy, Martin Mc Loughlin, Liam O’ Toole, Greg Kennedy, Simon Kennedy, Briany Sheehy, Declan O’ Toole, Davy O’ Toole, Liam Ryan (R).
Subs: Michael O’ Gorman for Liam Ryan (R) 55mins, Eamon Gleeson for Declan O’ Toole 70mins, Paul Murphy for Greg Kennedy 70mins.
Subs not used: Tommy Ryan (L), Joey Nolan, Tommy Kennedy, Eamon O’ Toole, James Gough
Report Compiled by Simon Kennedy