Rearcross 'B' 0 - Murroe AFC 'B' 3
Rearcross 'B' finished on the wrong end of a three nil score line despite a spirited performance against Murroe 'B' in this Ann Kennedy Tournament game played on Tuesday evening. The home side showed a bit of rustiness early on and conceded in the 4th minute when Barry Woodlock drove home from in front of goal after Rearcross failed to clear their lines. Murroe continued to press and had claims for a penalty waved on when Rearcross keeper Brendan Shanahan clashed with Shane Power. The hosts settled after this and came close with efforts from Liam Ryan and PJ McLoughlin and then James Deegan combined with Sean Hickey, however the ball didn't fall too kindly and deflected to the right of the post. A menacing run from Sean Hickey two minutes before the break saw Shane Fahey fouled outside the box, the resulting free kick from Joey Nolan was over the top. Liam Ryan's cross from the right was pin point to Darren Quigley who headed on target only for Declan O'Connor to make the save. John Ryan Luke was dominant throughout for the home side and headed clear under pressure seconds before the half time whistle. Rearcross made a bright start to the second half and Shane Fahey's dipping shot was on target only for a slight deflection which yielded a corner kick and then Joey Nolan fired across the face of the goalmouth two minutes later. Murroe regrouped and Darren Quigley did well to head off the line on 39 minutes. Rearcross were left with an uphill battle when Shane Power got in to prod past an advancing Brendan Shanahan to give the visitors a two nil advantage. A darting run through the centre from William Mackey saw claims for a penalty denied with a free kick of the edge of the box the eventual outcome, Liam Ryan's low effort was blocked by the Murroe wall. A spot kick might have given Rearcross some reprieve, however Alan Connolly wrapped it up for Murroe with a close range finish three minutes from time to set up a semi-final tie against Cappamore Celtic. Rearcross 'B' will now re-group and prepare for their first league game in two weeks time.
Rearcross 'B': Brendan Shanahan, James Deegan, William Mackey, John Ryan Luke, Liam Nolan(B), PJ McLoughlin, Sean Hickey, Shane Fahey, Darren Quigley, Joey Nolan, Liam Ryan
Subs Used: Paul McGrath for Darren Quigley, Anthony Ryan for Shane Fahey, Theo English for PJ McLoughlin, Shane Quigley for Sean Hickey, Niall O'Toole for Liam Ryan.
Subs Not Used: Robert James Hammersley, Thomas Kennedy
Murroe AFC 'B': Declan O'Connor, Chris McKenna, Liam Connolly, David Rainsford, Greg O'Loughlin, Kieran O'Sullivan, Tony Ryan, Mike O'Keefe, Shane Power, Alan Connolly, Barry Woodland
Subs Used: Eamon Hanly for Kieran O'Sullivan, Paul Slemon for Mike O'Keefe
Subs Not Used: Kevin Timmons, Kevin O'Sullivan, Jack Donnelly
Referee: Alec McCormack