Rearcross 'B' 2 - Donohill Doon FC 3

Rearcross ‘B’ got off to a flying start in this Tournament semi-final clash against the Limerick / Tipperary combo but succumbed to a narrow 3-2 defeat in the end. Rearcross hit the front on sevens minute when Sean Hickey did the ground work before Shane Fahey sliced to the net from in front of goals. Rearcross were dominating all over the field at this stage and went further ahead three minutes later when PJ McLoughlin produced the trickery on the left flank and hit target with a well struck shot, the visiting custodian parried to the in running Sean Hickey who finished between the posts from a tight angle. Rearcross continued to dominate and a chipped effort from Joey Nolan wasn’t far away minutes later. Donohill Doon started to work their way back in to the game as the half wore on and John McGrath was proving a threat on the left, the 1991 and 1994 Tournament winners pulled a goal back a minute before the half time whistle when a speculative free kick delivery wasn’t dealt with and Gerry O’Neill took full advantage to bundle the ball home from close range. Donohill Doon enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the second half, although Rearcross were unlucky nine minutes in when a good through ball from Shane Lenihan released Sean Kennedy, however the visiting rearguard intercepted. It was all square fourteen minutes from time when Rearcross conceded a free kick out on the left, the long delivery again caused problems with Michael Buckley getting the headed touch to bring the sides level. The visitor’s third goal was the goal of the game when Philip McGrath scored an absolute gem from distance to deny Rearcross ‘B’ a place in the Final, while Donohill-Doon progressed to the decider in search of their third Tournament Title.

Rearcross ‘B’: Sean Sheehy, Colm Nolan, Eamon Wade, Liam Nolan(B), Matthew Ryan Luke, Sean Hickey, PJ McLoughlin, Davy Ryan Luke, Sean Kennedy, Joey Nolan, Shane Fahey
Subs: Darren Quigley, Micheál Murphy, Derek Kennedy, James Nolan, Thomas Kennedy

 

Donohill – Doon FC: Tom Carr, Sean O’Dwyer, Brian O’Leary, Patrick Aherne, Rob Coleman, Alan Shanahan, Raymond Barry, Michael Buckley, John McGrath, Philip McGrath, Gerry O’Neill

Subs: Patrick Hennessy, Patrick Harding, Mark Buckley, Keith Sheridan John Ahern.

Referee: Jim McGrath