Divisional Cup exit for Rearcross 'B' following gallant effort

Rearcross B entertained Grange Utd in this very entertaining Cup fixture. Rearcross started with intent and were doing all the pressing in the early stages. Good play from Darragh Kennedy, Oisin Kelly and Mikey Feehan resulted in Dave Brennan getting a shot in but it hit the side netting. Grange started to come into the game and it took a fine save from Brian Hammersley to keep the score at nil all. Grange headed over shortly after this for what was a half decent chance. Rob Harrington and Darragh Kennedy were working hard around midfield for the home side hoping to make the breakthrough. Oisin Kelly set Mikey Feehan down the wing with a decent pass which Mikey cut inside the defence and had the keeper block his effort. Mikey Feehan’s comrade upfront Donny O'Brien also had a good effort on goal for Rearcross but again the keeper saved. Brian Hammersley was again called into action in the Rearcross goal saving a Grange free kick. Grange Utd took the lead in the 37th minute against the run of play when they were awarded a penalty which was converted by Brian Bowe and went it in halftime 1 up.
The second half again saw Rearcross trying hard for the equaliser with Gavin Denihan getting in a couple of shots, one went over and one saved. Rearcross were playing well and working hard all over the field, but found themselves 2 down against the run of play when the ball broke kindly for Dean Carey in the box who finished coolly to the net. Rearcross now with it all to do had to dig deep to find their way back into the game. Donny O'Brien again had a shot and a header on target but couldn't find the net. Halfway through the 2nd half both sides were reduced to 10 men. Rearcross manager Anthony Ryan made a couple of substitutions and positional switches, hoping to take effect. Brian Hammersley made a double save in the Rearcross goals and Grange hit the crossbar shortly after that. However, from here on Rearcross dominated with Rob Harrington finding Eamonn Devitt in the box who finished to the net with ease to make it 2-1. Eamonn Devitt now flying it in midfield was unlucky as he got in 2 more efforts, one saved and the other came of the post. Good play from Oisin Kelly set up Rob Harrington who was also very unlucky when his shot in the box just went over and again had a second effort from a header to the far post go over also. Rearcross put up a brilliant display against the league leaders Grange Utd with every player giving it their all but it just didn't work out on the day and it finished 2-1 to Grange Utd. Disappointing for the Congo Bar sponsored side but couldn't be faulted with their performance especially Brian Hammersley, William Mackey, Eamon Wade, Eamonn Devitt, Darragh Kennedy and Rob Harrington who deserve a mention.

Rearcross ‘B’: Brian Hammersley, Eamonn Devitt, Eamonn Wade, William Mackey, Gavin Denihan, Robert Harrington, Darragh Kennedy, David Brennan, Oisin Kelly, Michael Feehan, Donnacha O’Brien
Subs: Seam Malone, Paul Ryan, Anthony Ryan, Felim Deegan, Liam Kelly, Thomas Kennedy

Grange United: M Moore, P Tynan, D Carey, G Gaughan, B Bowe, S Finan, T Abbott, J Dooley, T Brophy, E Quinlan, S Dunphy.
Subs: D Brophy, M Ryan, T Fitzpatrick B Kealy

Referee: Jim McGrath

Report by Thomas Kennedy