Cormacstown Rovers 3 - Rearcross 'A' 2

Cormacstown Rovers scored a fortuitous extra time winner to knock Rearcross 'A' out of the Ricky Fogarty Cup on a 3-2 score line in this quarter final game played at the Thurles venue last Sunday afternoon, Rearcross were justifiably disappointed not to have progressed after turning in a sterling performance, however the visitors were luckless in front of goal on this occasion. Rearcross adapted well despite the heavy underfoot conditions and a break on the right four minutes in saw Paul Murphy striking first time, however the effort drifted over the top. Cormacstown took the lead in the 10th minute when a ball down the centre saw Robert Jordan burst through on goal before dispatching a clinical finish to the corner of the net, Rearcross were playing with composure and a well worked move out of the defence in the 17th minute saw Paul Murphy dreadfully unlucky when the ball pulled just left of the upright. The home side were looking dangerous from corner kicks and Sean Sheehy did well to bat the ball to safety on the half hour mark. Diarmuid Sheehy broke down the right a minute later and let fly with a well-struck shot, however the Cormacstown keeper was well positioned to parry. Sean Mullins was in the action minutes later with a first time effort that was on target however Robert Quinlan was able to gather. Rearcross were back on level terms two minutes after the restart when Simon Kennedy's effort from the right broke to Paul Murphy who poked the ball to the net from close range, the home side took the lead for the second time four minutes later when scrappy defending saw a clearance rebound to the net with Colm McGrath claiming the credit. Rearcross regrouped and drew level again a minute later when Diarmuid Sheehy was the provider from the left before Matthew Ryan Luke struck a sweet right-footed shot to the corner of the net. Rearcross were enjoying more than their fair share of the exchanges and a Diarmuid Sheehy header wasn't far off in the 72nd minute. Rearcross were robbed with two minutes remaining in normal time when Matthew Ryan Luke's long range effort looked to be heading for the top corner, however the ball pulled left and went agonisingly wide. Davy O'Toole breached the Cormacstown rearguard two minutes in to extra time, however the ball didn't break too kindly and the ball was smothered and cleared to safety, Gary Byrne was then unlucky in the 96th minute when an effort from the right was inches wide of the Rearcross upright, Shane Reynolds did well to intercept two minutes later when the ball looked to be destined for the net. Rearcross made a flying start to the second period of extra time and were misfortunate when Emmet Steed's headed effort from a Paul Murphy cross was held by Robert Quinlan, Cormacstown broke down the field and it was Tadgh Burke who grabbed the all important goal with a strike from far out that sailed to the back of net, Rearcross gave it their all in the remaining minutes, however the home side held on to progress to the semi-final.

Cormacstown Rovers: Robert Quinlan, David Joyce, Tadgh Burke, Keith Philips, Paudie Lee, Kevin Dwyer, Michael Lee, Colm McGrath, Eoin Dorney, Robert Jordan, Pat Lawlor
Subs: John Ferncombe for Kevin Dwyer, Gary Byrne for Colm McGrath, Shane Lanigan for Eoin Dorney

Rearcross 'A': Sean Sheehy, Simon Kennedy, Shane Reynolds, Martin McLoughlin, John Ryan Luke, PJ McLoughlin, Matthew Ryan Luke, Sean Mullins, Diarmuid Sheehy, Emmet Steed, Paul Murphy
Subs: Joey Ryan for John Ryan Luke (Injured 28th minute), Davy O'Toole for Joey Ryan (Injured 79th minute)
Sub Not Used: Ger Kennedy

Referee: Gar O'Shea