Thurles Celtic 2 - Rearcross 4
"Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character" John Wooden
Rearcross continued their good league form with a 4-2 victory over Thurles Celtic in a game played at the Thurles venue on Sunday morning last. In a game played in commendable conditions considering the recent weather it was Thurles Celtic who got off to a flying start, hitting the front when Mark Quinlan got the last touch to prod between the posts in the 4th minute. Indeed, the home side could have stretched their lead further still in both the 10th and 11th minutes when first Kevin Croke and then Paul Connors forced impressive saves out of the ever reliable Jim Caplis. It took Rearcross until the 15th minute to make an impact on the game when Derek O’ Toole, who narrowly missed with a solo run and shot a minute earlier, finished to the net from the penalty spot after Liam O’ Toole was challenged rather over zealously inside the box. Thurles bounced back almost immediately and came close through a beautiful low drive from Jamie Stapleton from just outside the box which was turned away thanks to a superb reaction save by Jim Caplis, followed closely by a headed effort by Kevin Croke which hit the upright. Despite their woeful start to the game, Rearcross capitalised on lackluster defending twice in the remainder of the half to go into the break two goals to the good. The first came in the 23rd minute when a good move involving Diarmuid Sheehy and Derek O’Toole saw the ball break to Kieran Devitt who knocked between the posts, followed in the third minute of stoppage time with another by the Coonmore Kid after good approach play by Greg Kennedy, Derek O’Toole and Simon Kennedy. Rearcross were back to their best at the beginning of the second half and Eamonn Wade was unlucky to head wide from close range after getting on the end of Greg Kennedy’s free kick in the 47th minute. This was followed minutes later by a Derek O’ Toole effort which whizzed wide after good play by Kieran Devitt. With two minutes to go until the hour mark, Rearcross all but sealed the game when Mark ‘Gazza’ Hogan, gaining a reputation for the spectacular and sublime as of late, smacked a magnificent free kick from all of thirty yards which flew to the top corner of the net, giving the Thurles custodian no chance. The next ten minutes saw a number of chances fall to either side – Andy Landers coming close for the home side and Greg Kennedy hitting the crossbar up the other end – but no goals. This tit for tat continued right up until the remaining few minutes with Declan O’ Toole unlucky not to convert Mark Hogan’s cross in the 72nd minute followed ten minutes later by a Paul Connors effort for Thurles Celtic which scooped on to the crossbar. The home side threw the kitchen sink at the league leaders as the game drew to a close but alas to no avail as Kevin Croke, who had a fine outing throughout, advanced on the left before drilling inches wide with a good effort. To their credit Thurles Celtic kept on battling to the end and deservedly pulled a goal back in the first minute of stoppage time when Jamie Stapleton’s cross from the right was met by Kevin Croke who headed home at the back post. It was, however, too little and far too late for the home side as Rearcross saw out the remainder of the game in a professional manner to set up a mouth-watering fixture with Ardcroney on Friday evening next in which a win or a draw for the boys in green and white will secure the NT&DL Division 1 League Title for the 2012/2013 season.
Thurles Celtic: Stephen Spillane, Andy Landers, David Butler, John Leahy, Darragh Quinlan, Jamie Stapleton, Kevin Croke, David Kenahan, Paul Connors, Colm Breen, Mark Quinlan
Subs: James Barry, Kyle Loughnane, Donal Ryan, Gary Houben, David Considine.
Rearcross FC: Jim Caplis, Mark Hogan, Greg Kennedy, Eamonn Devitt, Eamonn Wade, Simon Kennedy, Declan O’ Toole, Diarmuid Sheehy, Liam O’ Toole, Derek O’ Toole, Kieran Devitt
Tommy Ryan Luke for Simon Kennedy (65th minute), Robert Harrington for Mark Hogan(83rd minute), Liam Ryan for Kieran Devitt (85th minute),
Subs Not Used: James Deegan, Darren Quigley, Matthew Ryan Luke.
Referee: Martin Goldsoboro
Report compiled by Simon Kennedy