Rearcross 'B' turn in strong display against Premier Division opposition

Rearcross were on their travels for the opening round of the Tipperary Cup and were playing Premier Division outfit Ballymackey. It was the visitors who nearly got off to the perfect start, when Rob Harrington released Oisín Kelly down the right-hand side and his 1st time cross saw the Ballymackey defender turn the ball into his own net however it was called back for offside. The back 4 of Rea were defending well and frustrating the Ballymackey attackers who aided by a strong breeze had the majority of possession for the next 20 minutes. Their best chance falling to their right winger whose well struck effort across the goal was brilliantly saved by Brian Hammersley to tip the ball around the post. Rea nearly broke the deadlock on the half hour mark, when Willie Mackey swung in a long range free towards the back post and Rob Harrington's goalbound header was met by Kieran Devitt but his effort came back off the post and bounced to safety. Ballymackey did manage to break the deadlock on the stroke of halftime when they were awarded a freekick on the right side of the area. Up stepped Aidan White whose strike nestled into the top corner giving Brian Hammersley no chance. One nil at the break but still all to play for in the second half.
Rearcross found themselves level within 10 minutes of the restart. Another long-range delivery from Willie Mackey saw Eamonn Wade get above his marker and his bullet of a header finished to the corner of the net with the keeper routed to the spot. It was tit for tat then as both sides were pushing for the lead goal and it was Ballymackey who regained the lead on the 72nd minute. Aidan White played the ball to James Kenneally who dragged the ball back to beat his marker and fired a great shot from outside the box into the top corner. Rea nearly made it 2 all a couple of minutes later when Oisín Kelly broke down the right wing and his cross was acrobatically flicked towards goal by Gavin Denihan but it came back off the bar. Ballymackey went on the counter attack from here and added the third goal when James Kenneally got the ball in the box and kept his composure to finish low past the keeper. To their credit Rea kept battling away for the remaining 10 minutes but could not add to their tally with Mickey Feehan coming closest. A very good performance from Rea who were unlucky not to come away with something from the game.

Ballymackey ‘A’: B Hayes, D Spillane, D Shanahan, D Haverty, D Bergin, S Cantwell (Capt), D O’Brien, K McCarthy, A White, C Maher, C Spillane
Subs: J Kenneally, C Kenneally ,B O’Dwyer, A Steed, A McAuliffe.

Rearcross ‘B’: Brian Hammersley, Paul Ryan, Gary Ryan, William Mackey (Capt), Eamonn Wade, Robert Harrington, Kieran Devitt, Colm Carey, Oisin Kelly, Michael Feehan, Patrick Carey
Subs: Gavin Denihan, Eamonn Devitt, Felim Deegan, Colm Nolan

Referee: Gordon Harding

Report by Robert Harrington