Rearcross 1 - Nenagh AFC 'B' 3
Rearcross exited the Tipperary Cup on Sunday last as they succumbed to a two goal defeat against Nenagh B in a game played in near perfect, albeit cold, conditions. Rearcross were the more impressive team starting off with Simon Kennedy coming close for the home side as early as the 4th minute when he got on the end of a Derek O’ Toole cross to header just wide. The first goal came rather unsurprisingly for the sprightly looking Rea boys in the 11th minute when Declan O’ Toole jumped highest to head home a corner from Derek O’ Toole and the pressure didn’t stop there as Kieran Devitt and Declan O’ Toole once more came close with successive shots after being played through on goal, Nenagh coming close at the other end with two frees which forced Jim Caplis to make the saves. Rearcross had a free of their own in the 28th minute well saved by Eddie Spillane and from this point, though seemingly comfortable, the home side took their foot off the gas and let Nenagh slowly creep into the game. The away side first came close with a snap fire shot in the 33rd minute before securing the equaliser in the 41st minute via a long ball crossed into the box which caught the Rearcross rearguard flatfooted and found Danny Butler who jinxed and pivoted before slotting home to the corner of the net. The second half began with a few menial attempts for both sides before Jim Caplis came to the rescue for the home side in the 53rd minute, saving impressively at his near post. Nenagh were pressing for the lead by this stage and came close on a number of occasions in the next few minutes before taking the lead in the 67th minute after Rearcross needlessly lost possession out on the left and then gave away a free twenty five yards out. Up stepped JoeJoe Dillon, impressive throughout, to tastefully curl the ball home and give the visitors the lead. Rearcross seemed out of sorts at this stage, even with Liam Ryan’s corners causing an odd moment of consternation in the Nenagh defence, and it was the visitors who almost extended the lead with ten minutes remaining when JoeJoe Dillon shot on target only for Jim Caplis to make the save. Rearcross almost stole an equaliser through the boot of Greg Kennedy with 7 minutes remaining when the left back’s free kick from ten yards outside the box was saved magnificently by Spillane in the visiting goals. Nenagh then deservedly sealed the deal with five minutes remaining when Danny Butler got his second of the game when his long range shot deflected off a luckless Rearcross defender and looped over a helpless Caplis between the posts. Rearcross, known for their ‘Ná géill go deo’ attitude all season long, will be disappointed with their application and use of the ball in this game and must go back to the training ground to try and right the wrongs before their upcoming Barry Cup Semi Final as the boys in green go all out to cap off what has been a most terrific season for them. Best wishes also to Greg Kennedy (who was playing his second game of the day after kitting out for local GAA team Sean Treacys beforehand) who plays in the most elite of Irish University Soccer competitions - the ‘Collingwood Cup’ – this week in Belfast. His team, Mary Immaculate College Limerick, will be looking to build on last year’s phenomenal season when they went all the way on the final with the Rearcross Rover starring at left back. Best of luck Greg.
Rearcross: Jim Caplis, Tommy Ryan (L), Eamonn Devitt, Eamonn Wade, Greg Kennedy, Simon Kennedy, Diarmuid Sheehy, Liam O’ Toole, Declan O’ Toole, Kieran Devitt, Derek O’ Toole.
Subs: Liam Ryan (R) for Kieran Devitt (60 mins), Matthew Ryan (L) for Declan O’ Toole (68 mins), Darren Quigley for Simon Kennedy (85 mins)
Subs not used: Robert Harrington
Nenagh AFC 'B': Eddie Spillane, Gary Byrne, Shane O’Gorman, Michael O’Brien, Mark Shoer, Tommy Mitchell, Luke Kennedy, Alan Kelly(C), Danny Butler, Tommy Martin, Joe Joe Dillon.
Subs: Brian McGee for Mark Shoer, Kenny Holland for Luke Kennedy (both second half)
Subs not used: Damian Carey
Referee: Eoghan O'Shea
Report compiled by Simon Kennedy