Rearcross 'A' lose out in Ballinree

Rearcross made the short journey to Ballymackey for the league game. The game was played in hard conditions and it was Rea who were aided by the breeze in the 1st half. The visitors nearly got off to a perfect start when the ball was played into the box and Darragh Carr's flicked effort deflected off the defender and onto the post. It was Paddy Deegan who had the next effort for Rea when a kickout from the keeper fell to him just inside the Ballymackey half, and his 1st time effort just cleared the crossbar with the keeper beaten on what would have been contender for goal of the season. Ballymackey started to get to grips with conditions and had the better of the play for the next 20 minutes with Cathal Kennedy playing sweeper on a few occasions to deny any clear-cut opportunities. Rearcross finished the half the better and Paddy Dawson nearly broke the deadlock when he cut in from the left but his curling effort from outside the box was tipped over the bar by the keeper. Nil all the break.
Ballymackey started the 2nd half brightly and found themselves 1 nil up within 10 minutes of the restart. A mix up in the Rea defense saw the ball fall to Kevin McCarthy who was one on one with the keeper and he held his composure to put the home side 1 nil up. A shell shocked Rearcross found themselves 2 nil down 5 minutes later, Kevin McCarthy was given too much time and space and from 25 yards out he unleashed a rasper which cannoned off the crossbar, Aidan White was quickest to react and he tapped into an empty net. Rea rallied and managed to pull a goal back with 10 minutes remaining to setup a grandstand finish. A free from the right saw Paddy Dawson put a great delivery into the 6-yard box where Michael O Gorman was on hand to head into the net. Rea huffed and puffed to try force an equaliser but it wasn't to be as Ballymackey held on for the 3 points.

Ballymackey ‘A’: B Hayes, D O’Brien, D Shanahan, D Spillane, S Cantwell (Capt), C Maher, K McCarthy, A White, D Haverty, C Spillane
Subs: A McAuliffe, C Bergin, C Hogan, B 0’Dwyer, W Collins

Rearcross ‘A’: Cathal Kennedy, Stephen Rochford, Philip Deegan (Capt), Brian Nolan, Greg Kennedy, Darragh Carr, Patrick Deegan, Conor Nolan, Patrick Dawson, Michael O’Gorman, Cillian Kennedy
Subs: Eoghan Kavanagh, Robert Harrington, Kieran Devitt, Colm Carey

Referee: Derek Halpin

Report by Robert Harrington

Patrick Dawson is denied by Ballymackey's Brendan Hayes

Michael O'Gorman reduces the deficit with a headed finish