Arra
Rovers 4 - Rearcross 'A'
2
A disastrous start that saw Rearcross concede three goals in
a five minute spell left an uphill battle that was lost on a 4-2 scoreline
to Arra Rovers in a Shield semi-final fixture played in Newtown last Wednesday
evening, the first goal came in the 6th minute when a cross from the right
was finished to the net by Padraig Hickey, Rearcross were two nil down two
minutes later when Padraig Hickey was again on target. Rearcross rallied and
pulled goal back in the 10th minute after a PJ McLoughlin cross was knocked
to the net by Liam O'Toole at the back post. Arra cancelled this goal a minute
later when Kenneth Kennedy tapped home from inside the six yard box. Rearcross
came in to the game as the half progressed and had their chances with the
Arra keeper doing well to tap an Emmet Steed effort over the bar with four
minutes remaining in the half. Rearcross were dealt a further blow two minutes
later when Anthony Freeman pushed up field and slotted to the corner of the
net to leave the home side well in control at the half way mark. Rearcross
were given a life line five minutes in to the second half when Emmet Steed
sent a pile driver to the top corner of the net from a free kick outside the
eighteen yard box, Rearcross were unlucky not to further add to their tally
with headers from PJ McLoughlin, Matthew Ryan Luke & Emmet Steed not far off
in the 66th 77th and 85th minute respectively, however it was not to be as
it was Arra who emerged victorious.
Arra Rovers: Andrew Meaney, Anthony Freeman, Dinny Quinn, Mike Ryan,
Shane Kennedy, Pat Power, Darren Gleeson, John Ryan, Anthony Kennedy, Kenneth
Kennedy, Padraig Hickey
Rearcross 'A': Oliver Kennedy, Declan O'Toole, Adrian Hurley, John Ryan
Luke, Val Kennedy, Liam Nolan(B), Derek O'Toole, Matthew Ryan Luke, PJ McLoughlin,
Emmet Steed, Liam O'Toole
Subs: Shane Reynolds for Adrian Hurley, Martin McLoughlin for Derek O'Toole
(injured 30th minute), Joey Nolan for Shane Reynolds(injured 74th minute).
Subs not used: Ger Kennedy, Anthony Ryan
Referee: Shay Donnelly
Linesmen: Johnny Mitchell, David Donnelly