Moneygall 'A' 1 - Rearcross 2
Rearcross secured passage into the Semi Final of the Barry Cup after beating a battling Moneygall side in windy conditions on Sunday last. In a game played at the Moneygall venue, it was the home side who made all the early inroads with Colm O’ Brien especially coming close from a free kick in the 19th minute which was well saved by Brendan Shanahan in the Rearcross goals. Moneygall then took a deserved lead five minutes later when Rearcross lost possession before John Kennedy’s shot from the corner of the eighteen yard box finished inside the post. The boys in green and white slowly came into the game soon after, beginning by putting the ball in the Moneygall net on the 32nd minute mark when good work by Derek O’Toole on the left flank saw the ball squared to Simon Kennedy who put the ball inside the upright with a left legged finish under pressure, however play was called back for offside on this occasion. This was followed in the next few minutes by a Mark Hogan free kick, a Simon Kennedy shot and a Diarmuid Sheehy long range effort, all of which came close but not close enough for the visitors, while down at the other end Eamonn Wade, having a terrific season for the green and whites, did well to block down from Brian Delaney to break up a dangerous Moneygall attack. The second half began with Rearcross throwing the game at their opponents with shots pouring in on sub keeper Mark Moroney, in after half time for the injured Dwayne Collison, who was more than up to the challenge – saving first from a Derek O’ Toole dipping free kick in the 56th minute, and then again, if not more spectacularly, from a Liam O’ Toole half volley from 19 yards four minutes later. Tommy Ryan Luke was next to try his luck for the Rea boys when his good effort flew just over the bar in the 69th minute, followed minutes later by two successive left footed efforts by Simon Kennedy from outside the box, both of which pulled just wide of the posts. Rearcross eventually snatched a deserved equaliser when Mark Hogan’s low pile driver from 25 yards broke to Kieran Devitt who read the situation to prod inside the post from close range with fifteen minutes left on the clock. The away side could and should have put their opponents away in the 82nd minute when a Diarmuid Sheehy throw ball near the corner flag was flicked on to Simon Kennedy who made firm contact but managed to steer his headed effort over the bar from two yards out when it seemed easier to score. With all their pressing, it was Rearcross who were left breathing a sigh of relief with four minutes to go when penalty claims for a pushing infringement on the byline went unheard for the Moneygall men, an attack which proved to be the last event of normal time. The first period of Extra Time went rather eventless, Brian Quinlan’s good effort which flew across Brendan Shanahan’s goal being the only noteworthy effort. The second period saw Rearcross go all out for the killer goal which they duly achieved in the 105th minute through super-sub Declan O’ Toole after a move which was truly a family affair. The attack began with Simon Kennedy laying off to brother Greg whose shot was blocked out for a corner kick, the resulting in-swinging corner from Derek O’ Toole met by a brother of his own, Declan, who leaped highest to head home at the back post much to the visitors’ delight. Moneygall piled on the pressure in the remaining minutes winning three successive corners on the trot; however a resolute Rearcross defence stood firm to set a home semi-final tie. Credit to all the squad for this hard fought victory, with special mention going to Brendan Shanahan who stood in and stepped up to the plate for Rearcross who were without both squad goalkeepers, Jim Caplis and Eamon O’ Toole, for this game.
Moneygall ‘A’: Dwayne Collision, Mark Walsh, David Gleeson, Billy McCormack, Tadgh Kennedy, Colm O’Brien, Michael Parlon, Padraig Greene, Brian Delaney, Aidan Ryan, John Kennedy
Subs: Mark Moroney for Dwayne Collison(Injured 50th minute) Robert Jones for Padraig Greene(73rd minute), Brian Quinlan for Brian Delaney(80th minute)
Subs Not Used: Mike Muldowney, Cathal Kennedy, Martin Deane
Rearcross: Brendan Shanahan, Mark Hogan, Eamonn Devitt, Eamonn Wade, Greg Kennedy, Simon Kennedy, Diarmuid Sheehy, Liam O’ Toole, Tommy Ryan (L), Derek O’ Toole, Kieran Devitt
Subs Used: Declan O’Toole for Tommy Ryan Luke (90th minute)
Subs Not Used: Darren Quigley, Liam Ryan (R), Robert Harrington, James Deegan
Referee: Peter Moyles
Report compiled by Simon Kennedy