Share of the spoils for Rearcross 'A'

Rearcross welcomed high flying Ardcroney for their 1st league game of the New Year. The opening 15 minutes of the game were a cagey affair with both sides feeling each other out. It was the home side that settled that bit quicker and they carved out the 1st chance of the game. Good work on the right-hand side saw Michael O Gorman flash a ball across the 6-yard box where Brian Nolan's effort went the wrong side of the post. Ardcroney settled into the game and looked dangerous from long throw-ins and corners with Cathal Kennedy having to punch clear on a few separate occasions. The home side would take the lead on the 20th minute when a looping ball in from Rob Harrington saw Michael O Gorman head it on, Cillian Kennedy nipped in ahead of the defender who brought him down for a penalty. Greg Kennedy stepped up and finished low to the right-hand corner of the net. This spurred Ardcroney into life and for the remainder of the half they had the majority of possession. They would be rewarded 5 minutes before halftime when Matthew Moyles drove at the heart of the Rea defense and unleashed an unstoppable shot from outside the box which flew into the top corner giving Cathal no chance. 1 all at halftime.
The 2nd half took a similar pattern to the 1st half with both sides pushing hard to take the lead. Ardcroney nearly took the lead when a free from the left saw Jack Daly get above his marker but his header just went the wrong side of the post with the keeper beaten. Rea had the next few chances, the 1st falling to James Deegan when a good move saw Cillian Kennedy play him through. James nipped in ahead of the keeper but his strike went the wrong side of the post. It was roles reversed for the next chance as James turned provider and his cross to the back post found Cillian who cut back in on his right but his shot was well saved by the keeper. It was Cathal Kennedy who was called into action next when the Ardcroney striker found himself one on one but Cathal was quick off his line to make a brilliant tackle to deny the attacker. Rea could have won it with the last attack of the game, good work on the left from Paddy Dawson saw him put a dangerous cross in to the 6-yard box where Cillian flashed a header wide. A tough game for both sides played in difficult conditions with a draw a fair result in the end.

Rearcross ‘A’: Cathal Kennedy (Capt), Eoin Sheldon, Brian Nolan, Greg Kennedy, Conor Nolan, Patrick Dawson, Paul Nolan, James Deegan, Michael O’Gorman, Cillian Kennedy
Subs: James Rochford, Stephen Rochford

Ardcroney: K Shinners, D Slattery, P Reddin, A Hayes, L Dervan, M Moyles (Capt), K Spain, R Austin, J Daly, P Molloy
Subs: A Darcy, E Coonan, L O’Regan, D Ryan, P Hayes, R Hughes, T Murphy.

Referee: David Butler

Report by Robert Harrington