Rearcross 'A' 1 - Cloughjordan 'A' 3
Rearcross played host to last year’s league runners up Cloughjordan on Friday night last in a game played under lights at Rearcross FC grounds. From the start Clough’ looked in scoring mode and duly secured the opener in the 7th minute after a scramble in the box was turned home by Darren Killackey. Simon Kennedy tried to return the favour up the other end four minutes later, however his shot veered wide of the post, an attack followed by a weighted through ball by Greg Kennedy to Kieran Devitt who unfortunately fluffed his lines on this occasion. The visitors had a number of chances after this, two headers in particular coming close, before Rearcross struck with a hard fought equaliser through the knee of Matthew Ryan (L) after a splendid Robert Harrington corner kick. Greg Kennedy set the wheels in motion for Rearcross in the second half when his superb cross was knocked just wide by the incoming Liam O’ Toole. Kennedy then came close to giving Rea’ the lead himself when his chipped shot from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar by the Cloughjordan custodian. Disaster then struck for Rearcross when a through ball by Cloughjordan wasn’t dealt with and Michael Costello pounced to give the visitors the lead. Rearcross kept trying until the very end with a free kick from Mark Hogan and a shot from Diarmuid Sheehy both coming close but in the end it was Cloughjordan’s day as right at the end as Dean O'Meaea stepped up to take a 30 yard free which went sailing to the top corner of the net to top off a good night for the visitors. Rearcross will be encouraged by their performance against a physical and technical Clough’ outfit and look forward to next week’s battle against Nenagh Celtic.
Rearcross 'A': Jim Caplis, Matthew Ryan (L), Mark Hogan, Eamonn Devitt, Greg Kennnedy, Liam O’ Toole, Robert Harrington, Diarmuid Sheehy, Simon Kennedy, James Gough, Kieran Devitt
Subs: Michael O’ Gorman for Kieran Devitt (67 mins)
Subs not used: Eamon Wade, Sean Sheehy, Declan O’ Toole
Referee: Liam Kelly
Report compiled by Simon Kennedy