Rearcross come for 2-1 down to seal win against Arra Rovers

Rearcross FC A made the trip to Portroe to take on the reigning North Tipp and District League Champions Arra Rovers. Following a quick change of uniform for the home team the match got underway. Rearcross FC drew first blood when Greg Kennedy split the Arra Rovers defence with a measured ball into the path of James Deegan. James Deegan managed to control the ball despite the difficult playing surface and finished the ball over the Arra Rovers goal keeper. Rearcross FC found themselves conceding shortly after when a defensive mix up allowed the Arra Rovers attack to score a simple tap in. Rearcross made great headway in the first half and controlled the ball for large periods. Clear cut chances were hard to come by due to poor weather and the frantic nature of play. Rearcross FC were dangerous from corners and were nearly rewarded when Greg Kennedy hit a low shot following a scramble in the box. Arra Rovers had enough back to block the effort.
Rearcross started the second half attempting to move the ball around the pitch. Rearcross found themselves conceding a second against the run of play following another defensive mix up. Rearcross came close on a number of occasions throughout the second half, James Deegan struck the outside of the post, James Rochford had a well struck volley from outside the box arrow narrowly wide and Patrick Dawson had a long-range effort saved by the Arra Rovers goalkeeper. Rearcross FC were mounting pressure at this point and Conor Nolan danced through the middle of the pitch before releasing a low curling effort goalward. The Arra Rovers goalkeeper who up until this had made a number of solid saves was unable to gather the low effort. The ball broke to Cillian Kennedy who poked the ball into the Arra net. Phillip Deegan also had a great effort from a Patrick Dawson corner. His headed effort went a foot wide of the post following a good connection. Rearcross FC had the lion's share of possession at this stage but were very wary of the Arra Rovers attacking threat. Long balls from the Arra Rovers goalkeeper proved fruitful for the Portroe men on a number of occasions. Paul Nolan was on hand to clean up any loose balls that came his way. Rearcross FC snatched the deserved winner late in the day when a whipped cross to the back post saw Paul Carey rise highest and power the ball home at the back post. Paul Carey ended up winning the game for Rea with his first touch. Arra Rovers battled hard throughout the fixture and are always tough opposition. Best of luck to Arra Rovers for the rest of the season.

Arra Rovers: K Halloran, J Sheehy, J O’Brien, M O’Mahony, H Hunt, R Creamer, A O’Dwyer, S Kennedy, C O’Brian, C Ryan, D O’Donohue
Subs: D O’Halloran, A Gleeson, B Carroll, J Cottrell

Rearcross ‘A’: Cathal Kennedy, Phillip Deegan, Greg Kennedy, Paul Nolan, Stephen Rochford, Brian Nolan, Conor Nolan, James Rochford, Patrick Dawson, James Deegan, Cillian Kennedy
Subs Used: Callum Wallace, Paul Carey, Subs Unused: Colm Carey, Colm Nolan

Referee: TP Sullivan

Report by Greg Kennedy