Rearcross 'B' edge nine goal thriller

On Saturday evening under lights Rearcross 'B' played host to Borrisoleigh in Rearcross. Rearcross 'B' started brightly with Donny O 'Brien getting a shot in after an Eoin Sheldon pass but his effort went wide. Eoin Sheldon then came close after good work from Gary Ryan but again Rea failed to score. Rearcross were awarded a free in the 10th minute, Eoin Sheldon took it quickly to Donny O'Brien whose shot hit the post. The game turned in the 15th minute when Borrisoleigh were awarded a penalty and scored to take the lead. 2 minutes later they caught Rearcross on a counterattack and the Borrisoleigh striker finished well with a looping shot over on coming Rearcross keeper to make it 2 to the visitors. Rearcross battled on and got one back when good play from Donny O'Brien got himself into a scoring position and duly did getting one back for the home side. Rearcross piled on the pressure looking for the second with Liam Kelly having his effort saved, Cillian Kennedy hitting the goal post twice and Gavin Denihan shooting across the goal. It wasn't all one way though Brian Hammersley in the Rearcross goal made a fabulous double save to keep it at 2-1.  However, Borrisoleigh did get a 3rd just before half time to make it 3-1. The second half started with Anthony Ryan making a crucial tackle to cut out a Borrisoleigh chance and shortly after Brian Hammersley was again called on to make a save. Mark "Gazza" Hogan won the ball in the Rearcross defence and played a great pass to Cillian Kennedy who swung in a great cross for Donny O'Brien to head home to make it 3-2. Gavin Denihan sent in a floating free only for Liam Kelly to head wide. Rearcross were awarded a penalty in the 65th minute and Oisin Kelly scored to make it 3 all. The got even more exciting after this when Borrisoleigh again on the counterattack finished well at the Rearcross end to make it 4 -3. Cillian Kennedy made it 4 all with a well taken goal and shortly after Rearcross were awarded another penalty which was saved. Good play from Seanie Ryan along the Borrisoleigh end line saw him put in a lovely cross which found Thomas Kennedy on the back post who should have scored only to head wide. But Rearcross weren't finished just yet, in injury time Mark Hogan kicked long a long range free over the Borrisoleigh defence and Cillian Kennedy beat the offside and with one touch finished to the net to secure the win for Rearcross 'B'. A good evening out for the Rea boys who welcomed back a few existing and new players to the team on the night.

Rearcross 'B':  Brian Hammersley, Anthony Ryan, Mark Hogan, Mike O'Grady, Brendan O'Dwyer, Liam Kelly, Gavin Denihan, Gary Ryan, Eoin Sheldon,  Donnacha O'Brien, Cillian Kennedy
Subs: Michael O'Connell, Sean Ryan, Brian Carey, William Horrigan, Oisin Kelly, Thomas Kennedy

Borrisoleigh AFC: Daniel Meehan, David Carroll, David McCormack, Cian Stapleton, James Devaney, Alvis Danko, Seamus Ryan, Dan Ryan, Fintan Holland, Paidi Stapleton
Subs: Ciaran Thorpe, Josh Hackett, Alex Smith, Dan Fahy, Darragh Quigley, Matthew Vahey.

Referee: Derek Halpin

Report by Thomas Kennedy