Rearcross 'A'  grind out maximum points

Rearcross welcomed Moneygall in what was a must win game for the home side to keep them in the title race. The Rea management team again went with an offensive team selection which had worked in their previous league campaign. Conditions were far from ideal as the wet and windy weather was making it hard for both sets of players to keep their footing. It was the home side who started the brighter of the 2 teams with both fullbacks Eoghan Sheldon and Brian Nolan overlapping at every opportunity. Moneygall were implying the long ball tactic hitting Niall Maher at every opportunity with Paul Costello playing just off him trying to pick up the breaks. Despite having the majority of the possession, the home side couldn't break down Moneygall's defence. The best chance of the half fell to Paddy Dawson when a dangerous cross form the left by James Deegan was parried out by the keeper to Paddy but he couldn’t keep his strike down and his shot went over the bar. Moneygall's had a chance themselves to strike 1st blood at the end of the half when Paul Costello got in behind the Rea defense but his cross to the back post eluded both Niall Maher and Jack O Brien who would have had an easy finish.
The start of the 2nd half took on the same pattern as the 1st half. However, the home side upped the tempo and were pressing the ball higher up the field. They would get their reward on the 60th minute when a forced error from the Monegall defender saw James Rochford receive the ball in the middle third and his 1st time pass found Cillian Kennedy on the edge of the area and Cillian made no mistake with a left footed drive to the corner of the net. Moneygall to their credit responded well and were peppering the back four of Rea with long balls but the defence were proving up to the task. Paul Nolan was doing an excellent job of screening the back 4 and was breaking up attack after attack. With 12 minutes remaining Rea made sure of the 3 points. Brian Nolan picked up the ball on the left and played the ball in behind for substitute Darragh Carr to run onto, Darragh fired an excellent cross into the 6-yard box where Cillian was on hand to finish to the net and grab his 2nd goal of the night. A big 3 points for the home side as they look to maintain the momentum in the remaining games before the Christmas break.

Rearcross ‘A’: Cathal Kennedy (Capt), Eoin Sheldon, Brian Nolan, Robert Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Paul Nolan, Patrick Dawson, Conor Nolan, James Deegan, Michael O’Gorman, Cillian Kennedy
Subs: Darragh Carr, James Rochford, Stephen Rochford

Moneygall ‘A’: D Toohey, D McCormack, M Ryan, C McLoughlin, D Hogan, G Larkin, J O’Brien, A Ryan, N Maher, P Costello (Capt), S Moroney
Subs: D Maher, C Longe, C Fleming, W Jones, C Ryan

Referee: Thomas Murphy

Report by Robert Harrington

Cillian Kennedy edges Rearcross ahead after connecting with a James Rochford pass.

Cillian Kennedy makes it 2 nil after volleying a Darragh Carr cross to the back of net