Nenagh Celtic 'A' 1 - Rearcross 'A' 0
Rearcross were the visitors to the VEC grounds in Nenagh on Sunday last to face last season’s runners up in a league fixture. Rearcross seemed up for the game from the off and were unlucky not to take the lead when some good work saw Simon Kennedy strike wide in the 15th minute. Rearcross came close again on the 25th minute when a good move down the left wing saw Liam O’Toole find Simon Kennedy in the box but the luckless Kennedy saw his shot drag agonisingly wide of the upright. Nenagh came into the game after this and were unlucky not to take the lead when the Nenagh striker found himself free in the box but his shot could only find the side netting. A great save from Jim Caplis in the 44th minute saw the game entering half time scoreless.
Rearcross started the second half the same as the first. Good work down the right wing by Davy O’Toole saw the ball break to Paul Murphy who dragged his shot across the goals and wide. Rearcross were doing all the running now and a Liam Ryan shot went over the bar with 60 minutes gone. Rearcross created a number of chances after this with Paul Murphy and Declan O’Toole going close. Nenagh came close to taking t6he lead when a Stevie Ryan free kick cannoned off the cross bar and was cleared to safety by the Rearcross defence who played well throughout the game. All Rearcross’s hard work was undone when Nenagh were awarded a penalty in the 80th minute which Christopher Ryan duly put away. The drama didn’t end there however. Good pressure from a Rearcross free kick in the 89th minute saw the ball headed across the goal into the path of the onrushing Declan O’Toole who put the ball in the net only for the referee to call back play for a dubious offside decision. Shortly after the final whistle went and so did all three points. Rearcross can find themselves somewhat unlucky but should have had three or four goals of their own. Up next for Rearcross is a home clash with Premier shield champions Thurles Town.
Rearcross Team: Jim Caplis, Eamon Devitt, Declan O’Toole, Mark Hogan, Derek O’Toole, Davy O’Toole, Liam O’Toole, Brian Sheehy, Simon Kennedy, Paul Murphy, Liam Ryan.
Subs used: Greg Kennedy for Davy O’ Toole, Michael O’Gorman for Liam Ryan.
Subs not used: Tommy Ryan, Robert Harrington, Pat Stapleton
Report Compiled by Eamon Devitt