Munster Junior Shield exit for Rearcross ‘B’

Rearcross ‘B’ made the journey to South Tipperary to play Kilsheelan FC in the Munster Junior Shield. It was the home team who made the early running and found themselves 1 nil up after 10 minutes. Following a quick throw in on the right, saw the Kilsheelan attacker find space in the box, his strike was blocked and the ball fell to the Kilsheelan player on the edge of the box whose 1st time volley flew into the net. Aided by a strong breeze Rearcross had the better of proceedings for the remainder of the half. They had a trio of chances to equalise all falling to Rob Harrington. The first chance saw Gavin Denihan swing a cross in towards the back post where Colm Carey kept the ball alive to find Rob Harrington who got the ball out of his feet but couldn’t find the target with his strike. The next chance saw a quick throw in from the left by Gary Ryan saw Rob Harrington roll his marker but his first time volley flew over the bar. The last chance saw Eoghan Kavanagh float in a great free kick to the back post where Rob Harrington got his head to the ball but his effort went the wrong side of the post, a great chance which saw the player frustrated that he didn't convert. Rearcross had one final chance to level on the stroke of halftime when Paul Carey found himself one on one with the keeper, just as he was about to pull the trigger the ball bobbled up on the uneven surface and the keeper was able to collect with ease.
Kilsheelan upped the ante at the start of the 2nd half and bombarded the visitors goal for the opening 10 minutes. However, some great defending by the back 4 coupled with a few good saves from Brian Hammersley saw the scoreline remain at 1 nil. Rearcross drew level with 15 minutes gone in the 2nd half. Gavin Denihan got the ball on the right and his cross come shot was spilled by the keeper, Paul Carey was quickest to react and finished to the net to keep up his good goal scoring form of late. It was tit for tat for the next 15 minutes as both sides looked for the winner. It was the home side who hit the front with 15 minutes remaining when they converted from the penalty spot. To their credit Rearcross pushed for the equalizer but it wasn't to be as Kilsheelan sealed the win with 5 minutes remaining as a great strike from a free kick outside the box flew into the top corner. A gallant display by Rearcross as the players gave everything, but just ran out of steam in the end.

Kilsheelan United FC: Conor Grant, Jack Landy, Jack Moore, Corey O’Brien, Nathan Dolan, Brandon Cagney, John O’Dwyer, Ben Smith, Shane Garland, Enis Birer
Subs: Darren Kirwan, Kian Longergan, Sean Hughes, Daragh Landers, Richard Harvey, Aaron Lyons

Rearcross ‘B’: Brian Hammersley, Gavin Denihan, Gary Ryan, Eamonn Wade, William Mackey, Robert Harrington, Eoghan Kavanagh, Oisin Kelly, Patrick Ryan, Paul Carey, Colm Carey
Subs: Liam Kelly, Ger Nolan, William Horrigan, Anthony Ryan

Referee: Patrick Keane

Report by Robert Harrington