Rearcross ‘B’ through to Shield semi-final by odd goal in seven

Rearcross ‘B’ were on their travels to Moneygall for this Second Division Shield quarter final and made the trip worthwhile with a thrilling win by the odd goal in seven. The tie was played out in very warm conditions and full credit to the hosts for having their pitch in great condition. Rea went a goal down to a penalty kick after 3 minutes when an awkward cross hit the hand of a luckless Rearcross defender. The resultant spot kick was scored by Billy Hayes with Brian Hammersley going the right direction and very unlucky not to get to it. Rearcross started to control the game with Rob Harrington and Gavin Denihan dictating affairs in centre midfield. On ten minutes a great ball from full back Eamon Devitt up the wing to the onrushing James Deegan who delivered a low cross in to the box which was inches away from the inrushing David Brennan. Moneygall doubled their tally on 34 minutes after W Jones scored with a cracking thirty-yard effort. Full credit to the visitors who reacted immediately and were back in the game in the 36th minute when David Brennan’s mazy run opened up the Moneygall defence and set up Philly Deegan who finished with aplomb. Rearcross were on top for the remainder of the half with Rob Harrington and Gavin Denihan to the fore and were rewarded when Gavin Denihan slipped the ball through to James Deegan who levelled matters with a neat finish on the stroke of half time.
Rearcross kept the pressure on after the restart and hit the front four minutes in when Philly Deegan linked up with James Deegan who slotted between the posts. It was end to end after this with both sets of defences on top, however Rearcross were misfortunate to concede a penalty ten minutes from time which was duly converted by S Maher. It looked at this stage that penalties might be the order of the day, however the Congo Bar sponsored outfit had other ideas and netted what proved to be the elusive winner 2 minutes later when James Deegan floated a deft free kick in to the danger area where Gavin Denihan finished to the net with a cheeky back heel to win it for Rearcross. Well done to the Slieve Felim side on a fine all-round performance.

Moneygall ‘B’: D Toohey, D Gleeson, W Jones, T Kennedy, D Quinlan, J Powell, T Sheedy, S Maher, P Carroll, Billy Hayes, A Devereux
Subs. D Jones, K Toohey, J Ryan, C Ryan, D Coonan, R Lewis

Rearcross ‘B’: Brian Hammersley, Eamonn Devitt, Eamonn Wade, Anthony Ryan, Damien Nolan, David Brennan, Gavin Denihan, Rob Harrington, Oisin Kelly, James Deegan, Philip Deegan
Subs Used: Gary Ryan, Tommy Lyons, Cathal Kennedy, Michael O’Connell
Subs Not Used: William Horrigan, Michéal Murphy, Colm Carey, Felim Deegan, Ger O’Toole, Liam Kelly

Referee: R Kennedy

Gavin Denihan sends Rearcross through to semi-final stages with a deft back heel !!

Report by Paul Carey