Big win for Rearcross 'A' in Roscrea

Rearcross made the journey to Roscrea to play Killavilla in the league. Both sides were eager to make amends following heavy defeats the previous week. Rea following a change in formation made the better start and Paddy Deegan was thriving in midfield and had the early chances but could not convert. It was Rea who were peppering the goal in the opening 20 minutes with both James & Paddy Deegan testing the keeper on several occasions. Despite their dominance it was Killavilla who nearly took the lead only for Cathal Kennedy to pull off a great save. However, Rea again started to dominate and Paddy Deegan found himself one on one with the keeper only for him to pull off a great double save. Rea did manage to take the lead 5 minutes before the break, James Deegan received the ball on the left and his pinpoint pass found Paddy Deegan on the edge of the area who fed the ball to Cillian Kennedy who made no mistake slotting the ball under the keeper.
The 2nd half took a similar pattern to the 1st half with Rea pushing hard for the 2nd goal. They could not convert however with both James and Paddy Deegan having good chances, James having the best chance when he rounded the keeper but his strike was cleared off the line. Killavilla had their best spell of the match and for all the missed chances by the visitors they nearly found themselves level on a few occasions. Cathal Kennedy with a great foot block to ensure the game stayed at 1 nil. Rea seemed to have weathered the storm and were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes remaining, good play from Paddy Deegan saw him play in Conor Nolan who just nipped in ahead of the defender to win the ball which saw him upended. Greg Kennedy made no mistake from the spot as he sent the keeper the wrong way. To their credit Killavilla kept fighting and they were rewarded with 10 minutes to go. A corner was swung into the back post which saw the ball recycled into the 6-yard box and Dylan Carroll was on hand to finish to the net to setup a grand stand finish. Killavilla pushed hard for the equaliser with Rea at times looking jittery. However, the game was put to bed in injury time when Paddy Dawson collected the ball in midfield and his great through ball found Cillian Kennedy who made no mistake with a composed finish. Cillian Kennedy nearly scored a hat trick, moments later only for the keeper to pull off a good save. A big win for Rea on a day which sees them blow the title race wide open.

Killavilla United ‘A’: Aaron Mulready, Ian Treacy, Jason Fitzpatrick, Roddy Teehan, Craig Byrne, Tom Ahern, Dylan Carey, Michael Ryan (Capt), Michael Fitzpatrick, Josh Wynne, Ruairi Murphy
Subs: Eddie Simmons, Dylan Carroll, Miko Pasalic, Daniel Ryan

Rearcross ‘A’: Cathal Kennedy, Stephen Rochford, Philip Deegan (Capt), Brian Nolan, Greg Kennedy, Eoghan Kavanagh, Patrick Deegan, Conor Nolan, Patrick Dawson, Cillian Kennedy, James Deegan
Subs: Callum Wallace, James Rochford, Gavin Denihan, Darragh Carr, Robert Harrington

Referee: David Butler

Report by Robert Harrington
Photos by Gary Culbert

Cillian Kennedy scores the opener for Rea following a Paddy Deegan assist

Greg Kennedy converts from the spot to give Rearcross a 2 nil advantage