Maximum points for Rearcross ‘A’ after hard earned win in Killaloe

Rearcross travelled to Clarisford Park today to take on Lough Derg FC. Rearcross FC started sluggish and allowed Lough Derg space in the opening ten minutes. Rearcross FC got to grips with the tempo of the game and began to create chances. Rearcross FC opened the scoring on 22 minutes when Greg Kennedy played the ball from the midfield into the feet of James Deegan in the attacking third. A good first touch allowed Deegan to swing an inviting ball to his strike partner Michael O Gorman. O Gorman headed for the touchline and drove a low cross towards the six-yard box. Phillip Deegan arrived right on schedule to slot home with a composed finish. Michael O Gorman came close for Rearcross FC when he rattled a low drive off the foot of the upright. Lough Derg equalised before the half time break when a loose ball was not dealt with properly in the Rearcross FC box.
Rearcross took the lead in the 50th minute when a sweeping move forward fell the way of James Deegan who made no mistake in taking advantage of the yard of space he created. Rearcross FC had a number of chances following this. Matt Feehan had an effort which trailed wide of the goalposts. Greg Kennedy also fired over from 10 yards after good build up play from Phillip Deegan. Nigel Ryan also found himself with a sight on goal but was unsuccessful. Lough Derg to their credit battled throughout and managed to keep the score at 2-1. On 80 minutes a long ball fell to a Lough Derg attacker who struck a low effort towards goal. This effort skidded off the turf into the back of the net. In the second half Rearcross had a number of deliveries from free kicks and corners which Robert Harrington and Paul Carey were getting their heads to. None of these ended up troubling the Lough Derg goalie. Rearcross FC made a number of substitutions and saw out the win when a wide ball from James Deegan was whipped across the box. Nigel Ryan made a run forward before being hauled down on his route towards goal. A penalty was awarded, and Greg Kennedy dispatched this successfully. Lough Derg had one last throw of the dice in the final minute when the Lough Derg goalie came up from the backs to attack a long free. The netminder got a good connection with his header but Cathal Kennedy in the Rearcross goal smothered the effort. Rearcross FC ground out a hard-fought win when, with 80 minutes on the clock, Rea were heading for yet another draw.

Rearcross 'A': Cathal Kennedy, Robert Harrington, Paul Carey, Eamonn Wade, James Rochford, Kieran Devitt, Matt Feehan, Greg Kennedy, Phillip Deegan, James Deegan Michael O Gorman
Subs: Nigel Ryan, Colm Nolan, Paul Nolan, Brian Nolan, Stephen Rochford (all used)

Report by Greg Kennedy