Match Results & Reports

Rearcross 2 - Arra Rovers 0


‘There is no substitute for hard work’ Thomas Edison

A full strength Rearcross FC stormed back to the top of the NT&DL First Division after coming out on top against a plucky Arra Rovers side in a game played at Rearcross FC grounds on Friday night last. It was the visitors who made all the early inroads and could have gone a goal to the good as early as the third minute when John Barry paced through on goal only for Jim Caplis to close the angle to make a superb block. Caplis was in the thick of the action again two minutes later when intercepting the ball from an advancing Stephen Flynn to stop a possible goal for Arra. It took all of twelve minutes for Rearcross to create any kind of attack of their own - a Derek O’Toole delivery almost finished by the onrushing Kieran Devitt – though the home side did come into their own after this and came close on a number of occasions in the following minutes via Diarmuid Sheehy’s first time delivery in the 16th minute and Derek O’Toole’s inswinging corner kick in the 18th minute which was cleared off the line. Derek O’ Toole then came close again three minutes later drilling just wide of the upright and Rearcross were beginning to feel the goal they were searching for was just around the corner. Two minutes later, the all elusive goal came when Kieran Devitt linked up with Derek O’Toole whose low effort from the edge of the box went under the goal keeper much to the striker’s delight. O’ Toole then doubled his personal tally in the 25th minute when younger brother Liam floated a fantastic cross across the box for deadly marksman Derek to outjump the Arra defender and head to the net. Kieran Devitt then got through on goal in the 36th minute, however Arra keeper Matthew Kennedy came out on top with a fine save on this occasion. With one of the last kicks of the first half Derek O’ Toole almost secured his hat trick when his curling effort across the goalmouth wasn’t far away. Diarmuid Sheehy, who turned in a sterling performance, fired an impressive shot on goal in the 48th minute, followed closely by a Stephen Kennedy free kick at the other end which pulled just wide of the Rearcross goals, to ensure that the second half was going to be just as action packed as its predecessor. The end to end action continued in the 58th minute when Greg Kennedy’s shot from out on the left went all the way to the keeper who saw late and did well to make the save, an event which was followed two minutes later by John Sheedy’s well struck volley, with Jim Caplis in the Rearcross goals saving once more. Derek O’Toole then came close on three occasions in the space of five minutes beginning in the 62nd minute with a menacing corner kick which was tapped over by the Arra custodian, followed by a headed effort on target and a left legged effort which flew just wide in the 68th minute. Arra to their credit kept plugging away and Jim Caplis was forced to back track to palm the ball away in the 69th minute. Declan O’ Toole then rammed inches over  the bar from just outside the eighteen yard box in the 70th minute, followed by Kieran Devitt’s claims for a penalty going unheard a few minutes later. Liam Ryan (R), on the pitch a matter of seconds, almost perfected a cheeky lob from the edge of the box with his first touch in the 80th minute. With three minutes to go on the clock Stephen Flynn’s shot from distance was watched all the way by Jim Caplis in the Rearcross goals who gathered at the far post. A good win for Rearcross FC with all players showing excellent workrate and much improved technical ability, a win which could not have been achieved without the introduction of a number of experienced subs and the ever brilliant Jim Caplis in the Rearcross goals.

Rearcross FC: Jim Caplis, Mark Hogan, Eamon Devitt, Eamon Wade, Greg Kennedy, Liam O’ Toole, Diarmuid Sheehy, Simon Kennedy, Declan O’ Toole, Derek O’ Toole, Kieran Devitt.
Subs: Matthew Ryan Luke for Simon Kennedy (10th minute – Injured), Liam Ryan for Kieran Devitt (79th minute), Robert Harrington for Declan O’Toole (83rd minute)
Subs Not Used: James Deegan, Darren Quigley, Tommy Ryan Luke, Davy O’Toole, Eamon O’Toole

Arra Rovers: Matthew Kennedy, Paddy Flynn, Mick Ryan, Dermot O’Halloran, John Sheedy, Liam Moylan, Stephen Flaherty, Stephen Kennedy, James Ryan, John Barry, Stephen Flynn
Subs: Greg O’Brien for Mick Ryan (Injured 33rd minute)
Subs Not Used: Jake McMahon, Sean Nightengale, Nigel Flood, Ian O’Donnell

Referee: Jim McGrath

Report compiled by Simon Kennedy

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