Rearcross 2 - Clodiagh Rangers 'A' 1
'The harder I work, the luckier I get’ Samuel Goldwyn
Rearcross faced local rivals Clodiagh Rangers in a vital league game in Rearcross on Sunday last and came away with all three points after a spirited second half display. Clodiagh signalled their intention to bring the game to their opponents from the off with Paul Doyle firing across the face of the goal in the 5th minute. It took all of ten minutes for Rearcross to muster their first attempt on Adrian Cooke’s goal – Derek O’ Toole’s free flicked wide by Eamon Wade – whilst a minute later the aforementioned Wade came to the rescue at the other end with a vital tackle with Clodiagh breaking towards goal. Clodiagh went on to dominate proceedings for a large chunk of the first half and came close from two successive Denis McCullagh corners in the 29th minute, the first cleared by Greg Kennedy, the second by Matthew Ryan (L). Paul Doyle, who tormented the Rearcross rearguard throughout, snapped wide from just outside the box in the 37th minute, leaving no doubt as to which team was on top. Rearcross have been in clinical form all season however and after a beautifully weighted chip pass by Tommy Ryan (L) two minutes later, the ball fell into the path of Derek O’ Toole who does what he does best to score his 18th of the season, rapidly closing in on Lionel Messi in the process. Clodiagh almost responded with an equaliser in the 42nd minute after a lovely ball was played across the six yard box; no fox in the box available to smash home on this occasion. The visitors did get the goal they deserved two minutes later however when Paul Doyle set off on a trademark mesmerising run and crossed for Tommy Stevens to finish. Although the home side’s technical play improved only marginally in the second half the commitment, dedication and will to win were much more evident, and in the 53rd minute a Greg Kennedy cross sent Derek O’ Toole through on goal, the latter chipping the ball just over the crossbar on this occasion; an attack which signalled intent. Around the same time, Clodiagh received a free kick at the other end and came desperately close with the resulting kick rebounding off the crossbar. Neat interlinking play two minutes later between Simon Kennedy and Derek O’ Toole then set up Kieran Devitt who shot a low rasper past Cooke in the Clodiagh goals to give the home side a much celebrated one goal lead. Clodiagh then responded with a goal of their own in the 60th minute when a corner kick was handballed before being finished to the net – the referee adjudging a free kick to Rearcross the correct decision on this occasion. Clodiagh threw the kitchen sink at Rearcross after this but with their attacking players dropping deep the home side did most of their defending from outside the box, allowing the Rearcross midfield to disrupt many of the forward moving attacks, albeit giving away countless free kicks in the process. It was from these free kicks that Clodiagh came closest - Gareth Foxton, with his sweet left boot, almost finding the net on a number of occasions. Simon Kennedy then linked with Derek O’ Toole with 66 minutes on the clock - O’ Toole almost finding the net - with an almost copycat interplay taking place five minutes later between the same two players, the ball staying away from the Clodiagh net on this occasion also however, much to the dismay of the home team. Paul Doyle was continuing to be a threat at the other end and came close with 14 minutes remaining when his shot from outside the box went just outside the post. The remainder of the game saw Clodiagh push for the equaliser but once again a lack of clinical finishing mixed with resolute defending saw the home side ride out the storm. Whilst the neutral observer may regard this as a lucky win for Rearcross, the boys in green and white know they claimed all three points through diligence, commitment and hard work, key characteristics of a winning side.
Rearcross FC: Jim Caplis, Robert Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Eamonn Devitt, Eamonn Wade, Declan O’ Toole, Liam O’ Toole, Matthew Ryan (L), Simon Kennedy, Derek O’ Toole, Kieran Devitt
Subs: Tommy Ryan (L) for Declan O’ Toole (26 mins), Liam Ryan (R) for Matthew Ryan (L) (66 mins), Darren Quigley for Kieran Devitt (74 mins)
Subs Not Used: Diarmuid Sheehy, Mark Hogan, Brendan Shanahan
Clodiagh Rangers FC: Adrian Cooke, Barry O' Loughlin, Greg Fewer, Matt McCullagh, Paul English, Gareth Foxton, Denis McCullagh, James Murray, Matt Ryan, Paul Doyle, Tommy Stevens.
Subs Used: Shane O' Dwyer for Matt Ryan (64 mins), Ailbe O' Donoghue for Denis McCullagh (69 mins)
Referee: Paul Horgan
Report compiled by Simon Kennedy