Rearcross 'A' 7 - Sallypark 'B' 1
After succumbing to a three nil defeat to Sallypark 'A' last weekend, Rearcross looked to make amends against Sallypark’s second XI on Saturday night last in the first round of the Munster Junior Cup played under lights in Rearcross. The home side hit the ground running and were one up after 45 seconds when Diarmuid Sheehy crossed to Tommy Ryan Luke who drove to the roof of the net from ten yards. Eamonn Devitt then scored what yet may be a contender for goal of the season in the 8th minute when he lofted the ball to the top corner of the net from outside the eighteen yard box. It was three nil to the hosts in the 11th minute when Kieran Devitt prodded the ball inside the post from close range. Sallypark did not want to go down without a fight however and three minutes later pulled a goal back when Jack O’Donnell headed home from a corner kick. There was never any doubt who the winner of this contest was going to be however and on the 21st minute mark Rearcross all but sealed the victory when club stalwart Diarmuid Sheehy got on the score sheet with a headed goal from a Derek O’Toole corner kick. A minute after Jim Caplis made a good save in the 37th minute Mark Hogan scored the goal of the game at the other end with a rasping 25 yard shot to the roof of the net after a fine solo run. It was 6-1 in the 41st minute when Greg Kennedy got on the end of Sean Sheehy’s cross to prod inside the post, Sheehy turning the provider again two minutes later when his cross found Derek O’ Toole who headed to the net from close range. With the score at halftime 7-1 Rearcross took their foot off the pedal for the second half, employing a different tactical approach and making plenty of substitutions. With twenty minutes gone in the half Sallypark had the chance of reducing the deficit to five when they were awarded a penalty, Jim Caplis showing great reflexes to save the spot kick and the resulting rebound on this occasion. Rearcross almost made it eight with twenty minutes remaining after Sean Sheehy set up Greg Kennedy, however the visiting custodian was equal to the effort. Chances were few and far between after this as the game played itself out, Kieran Devitt’s shot from a tight angle with fifteen minutes remaining the only chance worth noting. A bad day at the office for Sallypark continued when the visitors failed to convert from the spot for the second time in the game with three minutes left on the clock to leave Rearcross comfortable victors.
Rearcross 'A': Jim Caplis, Matthew Ryan (L), Eamon Wade, Diarmuid Sheehy, Mark Hogan, Sean Sheehy, Greg Kennedy, Eamon Devitt, Tommy Ryan (L), Kieran Devitt, Derek O’ Toole.
Subs: Liam Ryan for Mark Hogan (74th), PJ McLoughlin for Kieran Devitt (77th minute), Joey Nolan for Derek O’Toole (77th minute)
'Sub not used: Simon Kennedy
Referee: Liam Kelly
Report compiled by Simon Kennedy