Rearcross 'B' 5 - Clodiagh Rangers 'C' 1
Rearcross 'B' got the new year off to a flier with a 5-1 victory over Clodiagh Rangers 'C' in this floodlit league tie played in Rearcross on Saturday evening. A well contested opening period saw chances created at both ends with PJ McLoughlin coming closest for the home team with fine effort from out on the right in the 25th minutue, however Patrick Lowry was equal to the effort and produced a fine save at the expense of a corner kick. Joey Nolan then tried one from distance, however the effort was wide of the mark. Niall Grant was a threat for the Drombane outfit on the left flank and forced a save out of Jim Caplis on the half hour mark and then John Ryan Luke read the situation well seconds later with a well timed header to cut out the danger. The Rea boys hit the front with seven minutes remaining in the half when a Liam Nolan(B) assist set up Joey Nolan who let fly with a smashing effort which looped over the visiting custodian. Rearcross made a promising start to the second half and an inch perfect cross from Darren Quigley seven minutes in saw the ball scream across the face of the goal. The hosts doubled their advantage two minutes later when Joey Nolan harried before the ball broke the Aidan Long who slid the ball to an empty net. Paul Murphy stretched it to three after breaking through the centre before finishing with aplomb on 63 minutes. Clodiagh Rangers didn't give up and pushed to get back in to the game but met stiff resistance from a solid defensive performance with Theo English and John Fanning to the fore. It was four nil to the Rearcross Quarries sponsored side when Aidan Long bagged his second of the outing after finishing from close range following a goalmouth scramble. PJ McLoughlin got in on the act with nineteen minutes remaining after breezing through on the right before drilling a low effort to the corner of the net. The Drombane side netted a consolation goal on 76 minutes when Niall Shanahan finished at the backpost after the ball broke from a corner kick. Our thanks to Clodiagh Rangers for accommodating the Saturday evening kick off.
Rearcross 'B': Jim Caplis, Theo English, James Deegan, John Ryan Luke, John Fanning PJ McLoughlin, Darren Quigly, Liam Nolan(B), Aidan Long, Joey Nolan, Paul Murphy
Subs: Paul McGrath, Darragh Ryan Luke, Shane Quigley, Shane Reynolds, William Mackey
Clodiaghn Rangers 'C': Patrick Lowry, Jack Spillane, Kevin Ryan, Shane Kinane, John Ryan, Pat Phelan, Paddy Ryan, Stephen Gleeson, James Coffey, Seamus Cullagh, Niall Grant
Subs: Morgan Greene, Niall Shanahan, Sean Coffey, James Hogan, David Considine
Referee:Tony Canning