Rearcross 'A' 0 - Cloughjordan 'A' 5
The modern day custom of working long hours and having a social schedule Celia Holman Lee would be proud of meant that not for the first time this season Rearcross 'A' were left with the bare minimum for this cup game against a full strength Cloughordan 'A' at Rearcross FC on Friday evening last. Michael Costello set the visiting side on their way midway through the first half, with Kevin Kennedy doubling his side’s lead after finishing from a corner kick a few minutes later. Rearcross played their way back into the game after this but couldn’t provide the technical nous or creativity to carve out any clear cut chances. Clough smelled victory in their nostrils at this stage and when Diarmuid Kennedy knocked in a rebound from a free kick moments before the half time whistle the game was all but up. After a rousing half time team talk Rearcross came out with much more belief and attacking fluency in the second half and were unlucky not to get on the scoreline with Matthew Ryan (L), Simon Kennedy, Robert Harrington and Kieran Devitt all coming close with individual efforts. Rearcross were also beginning to win the 50/50s in open play for the first time in the game and holding on to possession much better but just as things were looking up a corner kick was delivered by the visitors on the right hand side with Diarmuid Kennedy rising and knocking in with ease at the back post with half hour remaining. Rearcross regrouped well after this and trudged on until the very end, youngster Evan Gleeson making a good impact when brought off the bench. With Rearcross pushing for a consolation, and coming very close with a smashing left foot shot by Sean Sheehy skimming the crossbar, Clough counter attacked with ten minutes left on the clock and scored yet again, Michael Costello the marksman on this occasion. Thanks to Derek O’ Toole for playing through an injury for 90 minutes, Rearcross 'B' squad members Shane Reynolds and Sean Sheehy for standing in on the night and also to the impressive Evan Gleeson who made his debut for Rearcross 'A' after receiving a late call up from the youth squad.
Rearcross 'A': Jim Caplis (Capt.), Shane Reynolds, Eamon Devitt, Eamon Wade, Derek O’ Toole, Sean Sheehy, Robert Harrington, Matthew Ryan (L), Simon Kennedy, Tommy Ryan (L), Kieran Devitt
Subs: Evan Gleeson for Tommy Ryan (L) (63 mins)
Referee: Jim McGrath
Report compiled by Simon Kennedy