Rearcross 3 - Moneygall 'A' 0
Rearcross showed fantastic attitude and application to come out on top by a solid margin of three goals in this top of the table clash played under lights at Rearcross FC grounds on Saturday night last. With both teams coming down to the NT&DL Division 1 this season after a number of successful years in the top flight this game always promised to be an exciting affair and it did not take long to spring into life – Derek O’ Toole going through on goal after a great run in the third minute only for play to be called back for an offside infringement, followed closely by claims for handball inside the Moneygall box going unheard. Boasting a team of neat footballers and vast experience Moneygall chose not to be fazed by the home side’s impressive start and came close on two occasions midway through the first half, and indeed could have taken the lead if not for some impressive home defending - Declan O’ Toole first having to head off the goal line from a Moneygall corner kick followed by Jim Caplis producing an alert save to divert Tony O’ Connor’s low drive. The first goal of the game then came to the home side in the 28th minute after good play by Derek O’ Toole released his brother Declan on the left flank who let fly from just inside the box; the ball nestling in the corner of the net after taking a deflection off a Moneygall defender. Rearcross had to be alert at the other end once more minutes later when Eamonn Devitt headed clear from Moneygall’s Billy McCormack to avert the danger, an attack which was followed closely by a Tony O’ Connor header which shaved the crossbar. Eamon Wade was then in the thick of the action to thwart a promising Moneygall attack a minute later, the ball eventually cleared up to Derek O’ Toole who burst through on goal with claims for handball from the visitors not heard, however it mattered little as the Moneygall custodian made a fine block. Jim Capils then rounded off a fine first half performance by showing good composure to catch a Mike Muldowney header on the goal line. Rearcross, applying a different tactical approach, came out more positively in the second half and a Diarmuid Sheehy effort from distance four minutes in proved not too wide of the mark. At the other end Eamonn Devitt was proving as reliable as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west as he came to the home side’s rescue after chesting Colm O’Brien’s shot off the line. Rearcross then grabbed the all important second goal in the 57th minute when Derek O’Toole directed a pin point cross to Declan O’Toole who advanced on goal before squaring across the goalmouth only for an under pressure Moneygall defender to handle the ball and concede a penalty much to the dismay of the visiting team. Derek O’Toole stepped up to the spot to rifle his 9th of the season to put the home side well and truly on their way. Indeed the lead could have been extended further on the stroke of the hour mark after successive efforts from Derek O’ Toole and Simon Kennedy were unlucky not to find the net, Moneygall ‘keeper Dwayne Collison, who had a fine outing, producing a superb double save on this occasion. Unfortunately for Collison the home side had the ball in the net once more less than a minute later when Derek O’ Toole set up Kieran Devitt who sent a first time effort whizzing inside the upright to give the home side a three nil advantage. Derek O’ Toole then came close to making it four with Collison coming to the rescue once more whilst at the other end Moneygall’s Tony O’ Connor put the ball wide of the target from mid range. Billy Hayes was also in on the action three minutes later for the visitors, his close range shot turned away from goal by Rearcross custodiam Jim Caplis on this occasion. With ten minutes remaining a fine solo run from Declan O’ Toole saw the midfielder get a shot in which drifted barely wide of target, the recently married man from esteemed footballing background unlucky not to cap a fine performance with a goal of his own. This was followed minutes later by an impressive touch, turn and gallop by Tommy Ryan Luke who then appeared to be bundled over inside the area, however play was waved on leaving spectators to wonder whether it was indeed a foul or perhaps a theatrical dive by the Garravan garson, the former being the opinion of those on the line on this occasion. With five minutes remaining Billy Mc Cormack came close for the visitors twice on two separate occasions, the first from a dangerous ball from the left and the second from a fine effort from in front of goal which ended up inches over the crossbar. With 90 minutes up, Moneygall had their best opportunity of the game when Colm O’Brien’s low pile driver from outside the box crashed against the base of the upright, however it mattered little as the boys in green and white had the hard work done and the victory in the bag. Rearcross will be pleased with this result over their high flying visitors from the Tipperary/ Offaly border who played a lovely style of short passing and quick movement throughout, a team who will no doubt be in contention for honours come the end of the season. Next up for Rearcross is Ardcroney in the Shield Final, a match which will take place next Saturday evening under lights at Rearcross FC Grounds. Rearcross FC would also like to express hearty congratulations to player Derek O’ Toole and wife Collette on the birth of their baby daughter during the week - the fact that O’ Toole turned up and put in an exceptional performance testimony to the spirit within this bunch of players and the kindness and understanding of his wife which is, and always has been, ever present.
Rearcross FC: Jim Caplis, Mark Hogan, Eamon Wade, Eamonn Devitt, Greg Kennedy, Declan O’ Toole, Simon Kennedy, Diarmuid Sheehy, Liam O’ Toole, Derek O’ Toole, Kieran Devitt
Subs: Tommy Ryan Luke for Mark Hogan (66th minute), Liam Ryan for Kieran Devitt (66th minute), Darren Quigley for Derek O’Toole (81st minute)
Subs not used: Matthew Ryan (L), Robert Harrington, James Deegan, Davy O’ Toole
Moneygall 'A': Dwayne Collison, David Gleeson, Brian Delaney, Mark Walsh, Billy McCormack, Colm O’Brien, Mike Muldowney, Tony O’Connor, Billy Hayes, John Kennedy, Barry Treacy
Subs: Eoghan Ryan for Barry Treacy (45th minute), Brendan O’Connor for Brian Delaney(81st minute), Brendan Quinlan for Tony O’Connor (81st minute),
Referee: Jimmy McCarthy
Report compiled by Simon Kennedy