Two nil defeat for Rearcross 'A' in Templemore

Rearcross ‘A’ trekked to Templemore on Sunday afternoon for this Premier Division league fixture against BT Harps and finished on the wrong end of a 2 nil scoreline against the league title contenders. Rearcross missing a number of regulars for one reason or another battled gallantly throughout and had their man of the match in Cathal Kennedy who pulled off a string of top class saves to deny the hosts. Played in splendid sunshine, the open exchanges were evenly contested with James Deegan coming closest for Rea when his effort dragged away from the target on the 9-minute mark. Cathal Kennedy made a superb one on one block to deny Szymon Popiela in the 18th minute when a goal looked certain. James Deegan sent in a low effort from the right in what was a half chance for Rearcross, but the BT Harps custodian was adjudged to have been fouled and a free out resulted. The Templemore side took the lead on the half hour mark, when Ben Stapleton headed to the corner of the net from close range. The visitors found themselves two nil in arrears four minutes before half time when Szymon Popiela blasted home from the spot. Michael O’Gorman was unlucky just before half time after finding space on the left, but the effort flew over the crossbar.
Cathal Kennedy produced a trio of top class saves inside the opening ten minutes of the second half to keep Rea in the game as BT Harps continued to press. Chances for the visitors were limited in the second half, although Michael O’Gorman got on the end of a Cillian Kennedy delivery but the BT Harps keeper was well positioned to save. James Rochford latched on to James Deegan’s corner kick with the effort not far away. Cathal Kennedy came to the rescue again late on with two more brilliant saves, but BT Harps had already done enough on the day to stay well in the hunt for league honours and are wished the best of luck in their remaining games.

BT Harps are commended on works commenced to install a full-size synthetic grass pitch and are wished all the best with the project.

BT Harps: D Augustnyiak, C Russell, L Campion, J Kennedy, S Guerins, D Cody, B Stapleton J Johnson, E McBride, S Popiela (Capt), C Foy
Subs: F Fini, S Purcell, R Loughnane, R Loughnane, J Moloney, A Aissou, R Ait Ouhamou

Rearcross ‘A’: Cathal Kennedy, Greg Kennedy, Stephen Rochford, Brian Nolan, Eoghan Kavanagh, Patrick Dawson, Darragh Carr, Conor Nolan, James Deegan, Cillian Kennedy, Michael O’Gorman (Capt)
Subs: James Rochford, Kieran Devitt, Calum Wallace

Referee: David Butler

Report by Ger Kennedy

James Deegan & Michael O'Gorman come close for Rearcross before free kick is awarded.

Szymon Popiela makes to 2 nil to BT Harps from the spot

Michael O'Gorman unlucky not to peg a goal back for the visitors

Cillian Kennedy links up with Michael O'Gorman but the keeper is positioned to save

James Rochford's effort not far away after getting on end of James Deegan's corner kick