Rearcross 'A' 1 - Bridge United 2 (aet)

Rearcross welcomed Division 1 leaders Bridge United to Rearcross on Friday night last for a Munster Junior Cup fixture. The home side started well and were applying the pressure but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 15th minute when David Hickey finished from the spot after a very dubious penalty was awarded. It was tit for tat after this with both sides failing to create any clear cut chances until the 42nd minute when Paul Murphy’s free kick was deflected on to the upright and over. Rearcross started the 2nd half brightly and Micheal Ryan did well to get a shot away in the 47th minute. Bridge United had a good attack 2 minutes later but some good defending from the Rearcross rearguard saw the ball deflected out for a corner. Some good work from Greg Kennedy down the left wing saw his cross find Paul Murphy who was unlucky to see his header go wide. Joey Nolan did well in the 71st minute to save from the Bridge United attacker. Rearcross kept pressing for an equaliser and came close in the 85th minute when Derek O’Toole wormed his way into the visitors box but dragged his shot wide. Rearcross did get their equaliser in the 89th minute when Derek O Toole’s free from the left ended up going the whole way to the back of the net and so the game went to extra time. It was tit for tat in extra time and Rearcross were denied a penalty claim in the 94th minute. The outcome was decided when Bridge United scored with 4 minutes left and that’s the way it finished. Rearcross can take heart from this performance as they showed a lot of grit to get back into the game. If they play with the same tenacity for the rest of the season they should get themselves to safety easily.

Rearcross 'A': Joey Nolan, Greg Kennedy, Eamonn Devitt, Mark Hogan, Tommy Ryan, Michael O’Gorman, Liam O’Toole, Diarmaid Sheehy, Derek O’Toole, Micheal Ryan, Declan O’Toole.
Subs: Paul Murphy, Robert Harrington, Pat Stapleton, Liam Ryan

Referee: Eoghan O'Shea

 

Report Compiled by Eamon Devitt