Share of spoils for Rearcross 'A'

Rearcross welcomed Arra for the NTDL league game. Conditions were far from ideal as the wind and rain were proving difficult for both teams. Rea had the majority of possession for the opening 20 minutes of the half but were finding it hard to break down a stubborn Arra defence marshalled well by Dermot O’Halloran. The breakthrough came in the 34th minute when a corner from the right from Paddy Dawson saw the ball fall to Eoghan Kavanagh on the edge of the box and his 1st time volley was parried by the keeper where Eoin Sheldon was on hand to finish to the net. It wasn't 1 nil for long as Arra almost hit immediately straight back. A mazy run down the left saw the ball pulled back to Dylan Gamble who made no mistake rifling the ball into the top corner giving the keeper no chance. 1 all at the break.
The 2nd half took on a similar pattern as the 1st with the hosts enjoying the lion’s share of possession. Rea introduced a strong bench 10 minutes into the 2nd half and it didn’t take long for them to make an impact. A good move between Cillian Kennedy and James Deegan saw James’s cross to the far post but with the goal at his mercy Cillian’s header went the wrong side of the post. Rea went down to 10 men soon when they lost Darragh Carr to a serious ankle injury. Arra would take full advantage of this and went 2 1 up soon after. Good play from Charlie Moran saw him play a 1 2 with Dylan Gamble and Charlie finished low to the net. Arra themselves would also go down to 10 men when they lost Brian McAvoy to a hamstring injury. Rea created several chances to equalise with Greg Kennedy and Rob Harrington coming close on separate occasions. With 10 minutes remaining they found the equaliser. A long throw in saw Eoin Sheldon head onto Brian Nolan who flicked the ball onto Cillian Kennedy and he made no mistake finishing to the corner of the net. Rea pushed hard for the winner but they couldn't find one despite creating a few half chances. The club would like to wish a speedy recovery to both Darragh Carr and Cathal Kennedy on their recent injuries.

Rearcross ‘A’: Brian Hammersley, Oisín Reynolds, Brian Nolan, Robert Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Conor Nolan (Capt), Eoin Sheldon, Paul Nolan, Patrick Dawson, James Rochford, Eoghan Kavanagh
Subs: James Deegan, Darragh Carr, Cillian Kennedy, Stephen Rochford

Arra Rovers: A Gleeson, H Hunt, D O’Halloran, D Boyle(Capt), M Ryan, B Moran, C McKeown, B Muldowney, C Moran, B McEvoy, D Gamble
Subs: D Maloney, J Dillon, D O’Donoghue

Referee: TP Sullivan

Report by Robert Harrington

Eoin Sheldon edges Rearcross ahead from close range

Rearcross get back level with Cillian Kennedy's first time finish