Home defeat for Rearcross 'A' 

Rearcross welcomed Holycross where a win for the away side would guarantee them Premier Division soccer for another season. It was Holycross who should have taken an early advantage when good play on the right saw the ball the played across to Gavin Ryan but his 1st time effort was somehow kept out by Paul Carey in the Rea goal. Holycross were causing problems for Rea on the wings and it paid off on the 20th minute when a strike from outside the box saw the ball parried out and Gavin Ryan was quickest to react to make it 1 nil. This seemed to spur the home side into action as they nearly hit back straight away when a ball broke through to Philly Deegan but his effort rattled the crossbar and went over. Rea went on to create numerous chances as the half went on with Paddy Ryan, Eoghan Kavanagh and James Deegan all going close to levelling the game. Rea made a couple of subs at halftime and it was one of the subs who would level the tie shortly after the break. James Deegan collected the ball on the edge of the area and his low strike was saved by the keeper but Michael O Gorman was quickest to react and he finished to the roof of the net. Soon it would be 2-1 to the home side when a corner from James Deegan was only half cleared and Eoghan Kavanagh's 1st time volley gave the keeper no chance. To their credit Holycross didn't give up and would found themselves level soon after. A clearance from the Rea keeper saw Clay Lohan intercept and produce an excellent finish lobbing the ball into the top corner from 35 yards out. Either team did not look like settling for a draw as the game became end to end. Rea nearly took the lead 1st when the ball found James Deegan at the back post but his strike hit the crossbar with the keeper all but beaten. Holycross would come up with the winner with 15 minutes remaining when a corner from the left saw Sean Britton nip in ahead of his marker at the near post and head to the net. Holycross would hold on for the precious victory despite the home team pushing hard for an equaliser.

Rearcross ‘A’: Paul Carey, Stephen Rochford, Oisín Reynolds, Robert Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Conor Nolan (Capt), Eoghan Kavanagh, James Rochford, James Deegan, Philip Deegan, Patrick Ryan
Subs: Cathal Kennedy, Jack Nolan, Michael O’Gorman, Gary O’Brien

Holycross FC: J Ryan, C Hevey, C O’Connor, E Ryan, J Ryan (Capt), G Ryan, C Lohan, S Britton, S Flanagan, A Lohan, S Dwan
Subs: K Rusinek, J King

Referee: David Butler

Report by Robert Harrington

Acknowledgement and thanks to Rearcross Minibus Hire for their generous sponsorship of polo-shirts for Rearcross 'A', Rearcross 'B' & Rearcross Youths Teams

L to R: Cathal Kennedy (Rearcross ‘A’), Oisín Reynolds (Rearcross Youths),
Thomas Kennedy (Rearcross Minibus Hire), Eamonn Devitt (Rearcross ‘B’)

Michael O'Gorman levelled matters for Rearcross after taking full advantage with a fine finish

Eoghan Kavanagh reduced the Rea deficit with a close range strike to the roof of the net