Narrow defeat for Rearcross 'A' 

Rearcross ‘A’ were at home to Shinrone United on Friday evening in the league and lost out by the odd goal in three following a tight encounter. Rearcross enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the opening half and will rue not being ahead at the midway stage. Paddy Dawson came close on 14 minutes with a fine effort which was inches over the bar following great approach play by Rea. James Deegan was next up with a well struck shot from the edge of the 18-yard box which was turned over by Jason Ryan for a corner kick. Rea remained on the front foot and were denied in the 29th minute when James Deegan unleashed a fine effort but Jason Ryan dived to his left to make a superb save. Shinrone took the lead against the run of play with 14 minutes remaining in the half when Kian Fallon broke on the left before sending a smashing strike to the back of the net. Rearcross rallied despite this setback and Paddy Dawson fired on target two minutes later, but Jason Ryan got down to palm the ball out for a corner kick. Patrick Dawson broke on the left on 43 minutes as Jason Ryan produced another top-drawer save and then Rearcross came close again in injury time when Paddy Dawson’s free kick effort was well saved by the Shinrone shot stopper.
Rearcross made a bright start to the second half as Cillian Kennedy made space in front of goals but Jason Ryan got down to save. Rearcross remained on the front foot and came close again when Cillian Kennedy’s low effort pulled to the left of the post. The Offaly outfit took a fortuitous lead when Paul Lake got in to score against the run of play in the 58th minute. The Slieve Felim side kept plugging with efforts from Paddy Dawson and James Deegan not far away. Rearcross brought it back to the minimum with ten minutes remaining when James Rochford was the provider on the right before James Deegan headed home from close range. Rearcross pressed hard for an equalizer in the remaining minutes and came close in the 86th minute when Cillian Kennedy’s effort was blocked on the line and then James Deegan came close again moments later as Shinrone held on for a narrow win. A disappointing outcome for Rearcross, but the hosts didn’t get the rub of the green on this occasion.

Rearcross ‘A’: Cathal Kennedy (Capt), Eoin Sheldon, Brian Nolan, Eoghan Kavanagh, Greg Kennedy, Darragh Carr, Patrick Dawson, Paul Nolan, Conor Nolan, James Deegan, Cillian Kennedy
Subs: James Rochford, Stephen Rochford, Patrick Ryan, Anthony Ryan

Shinrone United: J Ryan, C O’Sullivan, T Bartlett, M Cordial (Capt), V Bordei, R Cordial, K Fallon, D Cahill, Ely McLoughlin, D McLoughlin, P Lake
Subs: E McLoughlin C Da Silva Jesus, C Browne, T Fleming, L Hoctor, W Dourado

Referee: Derek Halpin

James Deegan pegs it back to 2-1 with a headed effort from a James Rochford cross

Report by Ger Kennedy