Points dropped by Rearcross in home tie

Rearcross hosted Arra Rovers on Friday night in this Premier Division tie. It was the hosts who started the better and after a few corners they could not break down the stubborn Arra defence. Arra came with a game plan of crowding out the middle and hitting Rea on the counter attack and this was working to great effect. They took the lead on the 20th minute when Callan Cottrell broke the offside trap and his cross found Jack Moloney who kept his composure to slot home. With their tails up Arra made it 2 nil soon after when Robert Byrne collected the ball outside the box and his quick one too split the Rea defence open and he finished to the net despite Cathal Kennedy being quick off his line. This goal seemed to spur Rea into action and they pulled a goal back on the 40th minute. Following a corner from Arra, Rea broke at speed Paddy Dawson playing the ball out to Darragh O’Siochrú on the right and he crossed for Paddy Deegan who finished to the corner of the net, a great team goal.
The 2nd half saw Rea pile on the pressure to try and force an equaliser. Daragh O’Siochru came close when he fashioned a chance in the box but his effort just went over the bar. Rea had numerous corners and free kicks from out wide which were dealt with by a resolute Arra back four. Luck seemed to be with Arra as well on the night when a corner swung in from the right saw the Arra defender’s header go towards his own goal, but the keeper managed to clear. The game would finish 2-1 to Arra and credit to them as they stuck to their game plan and it paid off on the night.

Rearcross ‘A’: Cathal Kennedy, Tadhg O’Siochrú, Stephen Rochford, Philip Deegan (Capt), Greg Kennedy, Paul Nolan, Patrick Dawson, Patrick Deegan, Conor Nolan, Daragh O’Siochrú, James Deegan
Subs: Callum Wallace, Oisin Kelly, James Rochford, Robert Harrington

Arra Rovers: L Conneally, H Hunt, D Boyle (Capt), J O’Meara, C Ryan, M Carey, C O’Riordan, R Bryne, J Moloney, S Nightingale, C Cottrell
Subs: K O’Brien, B Connaughton, B Muldowney D O’Halloran, A Gleeson, C O’Brian

Referee: TP Sullivan

Report by Robert Harrington

A minutes silence was observed before the game kicked off as a mark of respect to Jimmy Bourke RIP. Jimmy managed Rearcross 'A' during the mid-nineties and was a gentleman of the highest order. Sincere condolences to the Bourke family, may Jimmy rest in peace.