Clodiagh Rangers 'A' 2 - Rearcross 'A' 2

Rearcross travelled to Drombane last Sunday in a somewhat make or break premier league game and came away with a share of the spoils in what was an exciting and captivating affair. The game began at a frantic pace with the home side taking control from the off with some intricate passing moves and retaining decent possession. Rearcross continued on the back foot for most of the first half as Clodiagh pushed for the opener, Sean Sheehy having to come to the away side’s rescue on more than one occasion. As the half hour mark approached the Drombane outfit justifiably broke the deadlock, a Mark Quinlan cross finding Paul ‘Archie’ Doyle who expertly headed the ball to the net from ten yards out. Clodiagh continued to press for the remainder of the half with Doyle showing exactly why he is rated as one of North Tipp’s premium strikers at present with a number of darting runs into the box, only to be thwarted on numerous occasions by a resolute Rearcross defence and superb goalkeeping. The scoreline going into the break remained one nil, Clodiagh unlucky not to be further ahead. The half time break proved a turning point for the green and white hoops however as player-manager Sean Sheehy gave an inspiring team talk in which he called for more energy, more endeavour and, most importantly, “more panache”. As the game resumed it was evident the Rearcross players had taken stock of Sheehy’s stern words as they came out of the traps fighting in a similar vein to (relatively) local boxing hero Willie ‘Big Bang’ Casey. With fifteen minutes gone in the second half it was clear that the away side were not leaving their local rivals’ pitch without something as chances were starting to present themselves and a Liam Ryan (R) shot moments later had the Clodiagh crossbar shaking, alas the all important goal remained elusive. The goal did come five minutes later however when Diarmuid Sheehy found Paul Murphy who in turn flicked the ball to Derek O’ Toole who finished superbly to the net from 2.5 yards out. Game on! The tie was to take another twist however as a rather innocuous kick out from the Clodiagh keeper resulted in the ball eluding both the Rearcross midfield and defence and finding the dancing feet of the ubiquitous Archie Doyle who finished neatly to the net with his left peg to leave the visitors behind once more. The remaining 25 minutes of the game belonged to Rearcross as the away side went for broke and kept the pressure on with Greg Kennedy and Diarmuid Sheehy in particular taking the fight to Clodiagh. A neat passing move with fifteen minutes remaining between brothers Derek and Liam O’ Toole saw the latter hit the crossbar and Rearcross were left wondering if this was to be their day. With ten minutes left on the clock Rearcross eventually scored a deserved equaliser however, a Paul Murphy cross not dealt with by an increasingly tiring Clodiagh defence and the ball finished up over the line after a kicking duel between Derek O’ Toole and Paul English - O’ Toole vehemently claiming he got the last touch as he trotted back to the half way line. Rearcross increased the pressure for the remainder of the game but a victory was evidently not to be as Derek O’ Toole’s swinging cross evaded a number of Rearcross players who were no more than four yards out with moments remaining. The full time whistle blew soon after with both teams happy to settle for a point in the end. Rearcross visit league champions Nenagh Celtic next week in what should be a good game.

Rearcross A: Sean Sheehy, Robert Harrington (Capt.), Simon Kennedy, Diarmuid Sheehy, Tommy Ryan (L), Greg Kennedy, Briany Sheehy, Derek O’ Toole, Liam O’ Toole, Paul Murphy, Liam Ryan (R).

Subs: Declan O’ Toole, Martin Mc Loughlin, PJ Mc Loughlin

 

Referee: Jim Mc Grath

 

Report Compiled by Simon Kennedy