Rearcross 'A' progress in Tipperary Cup

Rearcross were on their travels to Templemore in the Tipperary Cup against BT Harps B. The game started at a frantic pace with both teams looking to gain the upper hand early. It was the away side who would take the lead on the 12th minute. A long ball out from Greg Kennedy saw a mix up in the BT defence, Cillian Kennedy latched onto the ball and his cross found James Deegan at the back post who knocked it into the 6-yard box for an easy finish for Cillian Kennedy. 5 minutes later Rea nearly made it 2 nil when they were awarded an indirect free in the BT box. James Deegan rolled the ball to Paddy Dawson but his strike clipped the top of the crossbar with the keeper all but beaten. The front 3 of Rea were causing the BT defence all sorts of problems and it would be James Deegan and Cillian Kennedy who would combine again to make it 2 nil. A great ball out from the back from Greg Kennedy found James Deegan on the right wing and his pinpoint low cross found Cillian Kennedy in the box and he made no mistake with the finish. Soon after, Rea would make it 3 nil as they transitioned from defense to attack in a matter of seconds. Conor Nolan picked up the ball in the middle of the field and fed Cillian Kennedy on the left who turned provider for James Deegan with a low cross and James found the net with his 1st touch, a carbon copy of the 2nd goal. 3 nil at the break.
The 2nd half took a similar pattern to the 1st half with Rea moving the ball through the lines well. They had numerous chances to add to their 3-goal lead. Cillian Kennedy went close on a couple of occasions to get his hat trick but the keeper pulled off good saves to deny him. Rea did get their reward in the 80th minute when they made it 4 nil. They were awarded a free kick about 25 yards out, up stepped Paddy Dawson and he made no mistake rifling the ball into the top corner giving the keeper no chance. A good team performance from Rearcross who now face a tricky away tie to high flying Knigh United in the next round.

BT Harps: D Augustyniak, J Foy, N Keane (Capt), T Quinlan, D Doyle, L Roche, C Barry, K Fennell, A Aissou, P Hickey, M Quinlan
Subs: M Scott, C Murphy, A Quinlan, A Fogarty, R Ait Ouhamou, J Quinlan

Rearcross ‘A’: Paul Carey, Stephen Rochford, Brian Nolan, Robert Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Conor Nolan (Capt), Eoin Sheldon, Paul Nolan, Cillian Kennedy, Patrick Dawson, James Deegan
Subs: Eoin Kavanagh, James Rochford, Oisín Reynolds, Paul Ryan, Jack Nolan

Referee: Derek Halpin

Report by Robert Harrington

Cillian Kennedy gives Rearcross the lead with a close range finish

Rearcross double their advantage after Cillian Kennedy bagged his second of the outing

James Deegan stretches the Rea lead to 3-0, thanks to a first time finish from the edge of the 6 yard box

Patrick Dawson copper fastens the win with a superb free kick effort to the roof of the net