Rearcross 'B' 4 - Lough Derg 'B' 5
Rearcross 'B' back in the NT&DL after a year's absence played out an enthralling encounter against Lough Derg 'B' on Friday evening at Rearcross FC Grounds and eventually came out on the wrong end of a nine goal scoreline. The Rea boys made a flying start and came close with efforts from Theo English and Darren Quigley inside the opening three minutes following good support play by Paul McGrath. The woodwork them came to the rescue for Rearcross when a Keith Stritch effort rattled the crossbar. Rearcross netted the opener on the ten minute mark when Darren Quigley was the provider on the left to Joey Nolan who steadied before sending a low effort whizzing to the back of the net from eighteen yards. The home side pushed the self destruct button after this and conceded five on the trot with the first coming from a Noel McInerney corner kick which somehow squirmed inside the near post. The Lakers took the the lead in the eighteenth minute when Keith Stritch's thirty yard pile driver went all the way to corner of the net. Rearcross were also having their moments and Liam Ryan drilled over from the edge of the box seconds later. Lough Derg could have extended their lead midway through the half when Eric Monaghan's side footer was inches outside the upright. It was 3-1 to the Ballina / Killaloe side eighteen minutes before the break after Keith Stritch got on the end of a cross from the left to head home from the edge of the six yard box. John Ryan Luke came to the resue for Rearcross with a decisive header at the expense of a corner kick seconds later. The rout continued as Keith Stritch's virtuous pass over the top saw Noel McInerney finish with aplomb. It looked as if it was game, set and match three minutes before the break when Noel McInerney completed his hat-trick after prodding home from in front of goal. Rearcross turned in a fine performance in the second half as Liam Ryan reduced the deficit on fifty minutes after scooping to the net follow good link up play from Theo English and William Mackey. The green & whites stayed on the offensive as William Mackey fired over and then Joey Nolan's first time effort was held by the visiting custodian. Theo English side netted on 24 minutes and then seconds later the ball fell to James Deegan who rifled home from just inside the eighteen yard box. Rearcross were playing with gusto at this stage and brought it back to 5-4 with eighteen minutes to go when James Deegan's effort from forty five yards went all the way to the net in what will be a contender for goal of the season. Rearcross pushed on in search of a deserved equalizer and were denied two minutes in to stoppage time when William Mackey's cross from the right was headed on target by Joey Nolan, however Emmet Hanly in the Lough Derg goal was positioned to make the save to thwart a gallant comeback from the home side, Rearcross 'B' will take heart from their second half performance and will look to take this form in to their next game.
Rearcross 'B': Darragh Ryan Luke, Anthony Ryan, John Ryan Luke, William Mackey, William Horrigan, Darren Quigley, James Deegan, Theo English Paul McGrath, Liam Ryan (Capt), Joey Nolan,
Subs: Shane Reynolds for William Horrigan (46th minute), Thomas Kennedy for Theo English (79th minute)
Lough Derg 'B': Emmet Hanly, Lowell Ryan, Brian McInerney, Stuart Barber, Nathan Wood, Paul Lawlor, Mark McInerney, Jason Monaghan, Eric Monaghan, Noel McInerney & Keith Stritch.
Subs: Michael Kennedy, David Conway, Peter Tuohy
Referee: Tony Canning