Merited away draw in Templemore

Rearcross kicked off their league campaign with a tough away game at BT Harps. Playing on the new all the weather pitch in Templemore the game started at a frantic pace. Both teams were playing an attacking brand of football with the midfield duo of Paul Nolan and Paddy Dawson settling into the game. It was the visitors who would take the lead in the 15th minute. Paddy Dawson whipped in a free kick from just inside the BT half, James Rochford timed his run to perfection in behind to defence to head expertly into the corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. The lead however was short lived as BT hit back on the 20th minute when Dylan Cody converted from the spot after Ben Stapleton was fouled in the box. This not deter Rea and the front 2 of Cillian Kennedy and James Deegan were giving the back 4 of BT huge headaches. The 2 would combine to give Rea the lead on the 26th minute. Following a high press up the field Rea forced the turnover, the ball fell to Cillian Kennedy who beat his marker and he got to the end line to cross to the onrushing James Deegan whose 1st time strike was too powerful to keep out. Rearcross had the next chance again when Cillian Kennedy got in behind the BT defence but he couldn't keep his volley down. BT would equalise on the 35th minute when Dylan Cody took a quick free and the ball was fed out to Cormac Foy and he crossed to the back where BT had an extra man and Ryan Loughnane went highest to head past Cathal Kennedy. For the remaining 10 minutes of the half BT stepped it up a gear and their quick movement was causing problems for the Rea defence. 2 all at half time in which was a highly entertaining half.
The 2nd half saw BT have the majority of possession with Rea trying to hit them on the counter. Rea carved out the opening chance of the 2nd half when James Rochford played a lovely through ball to James Deegan who took on the strike 1st time but it went the wrong side of the post. From here BT had the next couple of chances. Sean Guerins had a freekick tipped round the post by Cathal Kennedy. Ryan Loughnane was unlucky with a header after getting up above Cathal Kennedy. Rea could have clinched all 3 points when a great cross from James Deegan found Cillian Kennedy at the back post but his header went over the bar. 2 all was how it would finish in an even contest. A good team display from Rearcross where no player was found wanting. Paul Nolan was best on the day as he broke up attack after attack and he seemed to cover every blade of grass.

BT Harps 'A': N Keane, S Purcell, R Loughnane, W Collier, S Guerins (Capt), D Cody, C Foy, R Loughnane, B Stapleton, J Johnson, K Fennell
Subs: J Bourke, J Foy, C Russell, D Hogan, J Coleman

Rearcross ‘A’: Cathal Kennedy (Capt), Robert Harrington, Stephen Rochford, Callum Wallace, Eoghan Kavanagh, Patrick Dawson, James Rochford, Paul Nolan, James Deegan, Philip Deegan, Cillian Kennedy
Subs: Gavin Denihan, Colm Carey, Greg Kennedy, D Brennan, M Carroll, Oisin Kelly

Referee: Derek Halpin

Report by Robert Harrington

Very well done to Management team of Paul Carey, Anthony Ryan & Greg Kennedy who marshalled the sideline with much intensity to ensure a merited away result.

The Club would like to acknowledge and thank O’D Cleaning Supplies for their generous sponsorship of windbreakers for Rearcross ‘A’ & ‘B’ players and extend thanks to Paul Carey for organising the sponsorship.

James Rochford peels away to send a clinical header to the back of the net from a Patrick Dawson delivery

James Deegan puts Rea 2-1 up after finishing from a Cillian Kennedy pull back