Rearcross 'A' 2 - Nenagh AFC 'A' 5  

“When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less” - Paul Brown

Rearcross A succumbed to their first league defeat of 2011 against high flying Nenagh AFC in an exciting game played at Rearcross FC grounds on Sunday last. The game sprang into life with less than 180 seconds on the clock when Rearcross earned a penalty after Derek O’ Toole received a boot to the face while attempting to head an inswinging cross to the net from two yards out. With the aforementioned O’ Toole off the field receiving treatment, penalty taking duties were delegated to central midfileder Simon Kennedy who stepped forward confidently and rifled the ball to the net from the spot. Rearcross continued looking dangerous during the opening exchanges and on the 18th minute Eamon Gleeson broke the offside trap to run through on goal – the Shanaclune man’s progress halted on this occasion due to a cynical foul by the last remaining Nenagh defender who found himself lucky to escape with just a yellow card. Nenagh began to feel their way into the game after this and it was Rearcross defender Liam O’ Toole who managed to keep the visitors at bay on 24 minutes after turning the ball outside the post when a goal looked certain. Sean Sheehy followed this up with a fantastic save from a Paul Kelly shot two minutes later to keep the scoreline intact. The equaliser eventually did arrive in the 37th minute however when Paul Kelly’s throw was flicked on by Shane O’ Gorman to Trevor Morrissey who headed home from close range. Three minutes later Rearcross came close to regaining the lead when Greg Kennedy’s corner kick was met by Martin Mc Loughlin whose headed effort wasn’t far away. Disaster then struck for the home side with a minute to play in the first half when Rearcross lost possession on the halfway line before the ball broke to Trevor Morrissey who slipped the ball inside the upright from in front of goal. The second half began much the same as the first half concluded, the woodwork denying Nenagh two minutes into the half after good play from Michael O’ Gorman saw Trevor Morrissey’s eventual rasper of a shot thumping off the upright. Rearcross were back in the fray in the 52nd minute however when Diarmuid Sheehy’s pin point cross was met by Derek O’ Toole who, sporting a battered nose and bloody face, showed great courage in heading home at the back post. Nenagh went back in front a few minutes later when David Chadwick’s speculative cross from the right somehow finished in the net to the surprise of everyone on the pitch, the goal scorer included, and the pendulum had once again swung in favour of the visitors. Sean Sheehy then made a point blank save from Michael O’ Gorman three minutes later to keep Rearcross in the game but it wasn’t to be on this occasion as, after a number of successive Rearcross corners, the away side broke on the counter attack with Michael O’ Gorman keeping his composure to drive the ball between the posts and secure a two goal cushion for his team. With Rearcross chasing the game at this point Nenagh were afforded more space in the Rearcross half and duly punished the hosts when David Chadwick netted his second of the game scoring from an acute angle to leave the game all but over with thirteen minutes remaining on the clock. As has been the case all season Rearcross refused to lie down and throw in the towel and came close to finding the net on a number of occasions in the final ten minutes, with Eamon O’ Toole and Liam Ryan (R) coming close. A long range Simon Kennedy effort with two minutes remaining narrowly missed the top right hand corner of the Nenagh net however it was just not to be the home side’s day. Rearcross now look forward to a cup game with local rivals Clodiagh Rangers next Friday night at 8pm under lights.

Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Liam O’ Toole, Martin Mc Loughlin, Diarmuid Sheehy, Greg Kennedy, Declan O’ Toole, Simon Kennedy, PJ Mc Loughlin, Davy O’ Toole, Derek O’ TOole, Eamon Gleeson.
Subs: Eamon O’ Toole for Declan O’ Toole, Liam Ryan (R) for Derek O’ Toole.

Referee: Martin Goldsboro

Report Compiled by Simon Kennedy