Rearcross lose to league contenders but take positives from the encounter

An understrength Rearcross side welcomed BT Harps for the league fixture. It was a must win game for the away side to keep their chances of winning the league alive. It was the away side who made the early running and were controlling the tempo of the game with the home side working hard to minimise any clear-cut chances. However, 10 minutes into the tie BT were awarded a penalty and up stepped Eanna McBride who sent Brian Hammersley the wrong way making it 1 nil. Slowly Rearcross were finding their feet in the game and they were rewarded on the half hour mark. Gavin Denihan collected the ball on the left-hand side and went on a mazy run, he put in a cross into the 6-yard box where Paddy Ryan flicked it into the corner of the net with a great finish. BT were spurred into life and re took the lead 10 minutes later. Eanna McBride getting to the by line and pulling the ball back for Jamie Bergin who rifled to the roof of the net. On the stroke of halftime Rea nearly got an equalizer when a mix up at the back saw Michael O Gorman in past the BT keeper but just as he was about to roll the ball into an empty net the BT defender got back to clear the ball. 2-1 at halftime. At the start of the 2nd half BT were looking for that all important 3rd goal to kill of the game but credit to Rea they were standing firm. BT would eventually get that all important 3rd goal on the 65th minute and would add a further 2 goals in a 6-minute spell. Sean Guerin got the 3rd goal when he dropped the shoulder to beat the Rea defender and his low strike found the corner of the net. Eanna McBride got his 2nd goal of the game when he collected the ball on the edge of the box and beat a couple of defenders before slipping the ball past the onrushing Brian Hammersly. BT added a 5th soon after when Jamie Bergin collected the ball on the edge of the area and he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Rea did manage to pull one back with 10 minutes remaining. Paddy Ryan slipped the ball through to Jack Nolan who fired a 1st time shot into the top corner leaving the keeper rooted to the spot. Rea had one final chance to pull another goal back when a cross from Paddy Ryan found Oisin Reynolds at the back post but Oisin didn't quite get the connection he would have liked and the ball trickled through to the keeper. A spirited performance from the home side who never gave up on the day. Focus now turns to Tipp Cup quarter final away to Knigh United next weekend.

Rearcross ‘A’: Brian Hammersley, Gary O’Brien, Oisín Reynolds, Robert Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Conor Nolan(Capt), Eoghan Kavanagh, James Rochford, Michael O’Gorman, Gavin Denihan, Patrick Ryan
Subs: Jack Nolan, Ryan Amodeo

BT Harps ‘A’: J Beben, S Purcell, L Fairbrother, J Kennedy, C Russell, S P Guerins(Capt), B Stapleton, C Foy, E McBride, J Bergin, D McEnroe
Subs: B Mitchell, R Loughnane, D Lawlor, R Loughnane J Johnson, C Ryan

Referee: Thomas Murphy

Report by Robert Harrington

Patrick Ryan pegs Rearcross level with a deft flick to the corner of the net.

A superb strike from Jack Nolan gave the visiting custodian no chance