Premier Division Shield exit for Rearcross 

Rearcross hosted Holycross in the opening round of the shield on Wednesday night. The home side started the brighter in the opening 10 minutes when a well worked move saw James Deegan find Michael O Gorman in the area only to see his effort sliced off hsi foot and go for a goal kick. From here Holycross took over proceedings and started to dominate the game. They were rewarded for their dominance when they scored 3 goals in a 5-minute spell. The 1st goal was an inviting free kick by Stephen Flanagan which found its way straight into the net. 1 minute Rea found themselves 2 nil down a minute later, when a dangerous ball towards the back post was turned into his own net by the unlucky Rearcross defender. The 3rd goal for Holycross came on the 30th minute and was a carbon copy of the 1st goal, Stephen Flanagan again sent an inviting free kick towards the Rea goal and it found its way to the net. Following this the management team from Rea changed the formation and Rea started to get a foothold in the game. They finished the half stronger and were unlucky not to pull a couple of goals back when a few efforts just went wide of the post.
Rearcross started the 2nd half brightly and created a few chances from corners where Michael O Gorman had 2 headed efforts just miss narrowly. They were hit with a sucker punch though on the 55th minute when a superb free kick on the edge of the area by Cormac O Conner flew into the top corner. Rea however rallied and pulled a goal back on the 58th minute, following some good work from Kieran Devitt high up the field who won the ball and fed James Deegan, James hit a shot from 20 yards which found the net. From here Rea created all the chances. Some good interchange play saw James Deegan put in one on one with the Holycross keeper only for the latter to pull off a great save. Fresh legs were making a difference as Paddy Deegan, Brian Nolan and Cillian Kennedy were introduced. Rea thought they had another goal back when a great one too between Cillian Kennedy and Michael O Gorman saw Cillian bearing down on goal, he played James Deegan in who finished to the corner of the net but the goal was ruled out for offside. Rea to their credit kept pushing and Paddy Deegan had thunderous effort from the corner of the box fly just past the post. They get their 2nd on the 88th minute when some play from Paddy Deegan saw the ball break to Brian Nolan who finished to the net. There was one final chance for Rea when a long-range free kick found its way to Greg Kennedy whose flicked effort was cleared off the line. The clearance fell to Philly Deegan and his effort just went over the bar.
Best of luck to Holycross in the next round. Rearcross now turn their focus towards the league

Rearcross ‘A’: Cathal Kennedy, Callum Wallace, Philip Deegan, Paul Nolan, Greg Kennedy, Stephen Rochford, Kieran Devitt, James Rochford, Patrick Dawson, Michael O’Gorman, James Deegan
Subs: Patrick Deegan for James Rochford, Cillian Kennedy for Patrick Dawson, Brian Nolan for Kieran Devitt

Holycross FC: R Nally, D Manning, L Ryan, C O’Connor, C O’Connor, P Fogarty, K Denny, T Nally, J Ryan, S Flanagan, B Slattery, C Hevey, 
Subs: J Ryan, J Ryan, B Hennessy, A Ryan, S Comerford, D English, J King

Referee: David Butler

Report by Robert Harrington