Rearcross were luckless in their efforts to complete the treble at at a resplendent Clodiagh Rangers FC Grounds last Sunday evening when Nenagh AFC ‘B’ made amends for a Barry Cup Final loss to the Rea boys in 1997 with a one nil victory on this occasion. Rearcross made the better start and went on to enjoy long spells of dominance in the opening half and will rue not opening their account during this period. Derek O’Toole made the first incision after harrying Mike O’Brien, however the Nenagh custodian advanced to collect with just two minutes gone and then Derek O’Toole was unlucky two minutes later with a free kick effort. Willie Darcy was a threat for the Brickfields side throughout and fired over the Rearcross goal in the 6th minute. Rearcross were robbed of the opener on the ten minute mark when Greg Kennedy combined with Derek O’Toole before the ball fell to Simon Kennedy who was luckless to see his well struck effort go inches wide of the upright. Rearcross had claims for a penalty waved on in the 21st minute while at the other end of the pitch Nenagh faced a similar outcome two minutes later. Rearcross keeper Eamonn O’Toole did well to punch clear under pressure from a Willie Darcy free kick midway through the half. Derek O’Toole was through on the Nenagh goal fourteen minutes before the break, however play was pulled back for offside. Declan O’Toole was next up for Rearcross with a well struck shot which flew over the target. Greg Kennedy’s free kick ten minutes before the break was on the mark, however Eddie Spillane got behind the effort to make a clean block. Rearcross were let off the hook three minutes later when Tommy Martin’s delivery flew across the goalmouth when only a touch was needed. It was turning out to be a difficult outing for Rearcross and that elusive goal was proving hard to come by as Diarmuid Sheehy’s well struck effort flew over the target. Eamonn Devitt was then in the action for Rearcross after closing in to deny Willie Darcy. The last action of the half saw Rearcross threaten again with a Derek O’Toole free kick and then Simon Kennedy got on the end of a corner kick to head wide at the back post to leave it scoreless at the break. Nenagh AFC came close a minute in to the second half with a Danny Butler effort, however Eamonn Devitt did well to avert the danger. Rearcross battled gallantly throughout and Simon Kennedy linked up with Kieran Devitt to set up Declan O’Toole, however the offside flag was up. Nenagh counter attacked and Greg Kennedy blocked down from Tommy Martin while moments later Luke Kennedy’s shot lifted over the Rearcross goals. The green & whites defended sternly all through and Eamonn Wade’s well timed tackle thwarted Tommy Martin on 63 minutes. A highly competitive affair throughout saw Eamonn O’Toole make a clean catch from a Willie Darcy free kick and then the Rearcross keeper got down to save at the near post from Tommy Martin with eighteen minutes remaining. Nenagh AFC took the lead in the 81st minute with a superb strike when JoJo Dillon’s corner kick broke to Willie Darcy who let fly with a left legged rasper that finished in the net despite the best efforts of Robert Harrington. Rearcross threw everything at Nenagh in the final minutes and were desperately unlucky not to take the tie to extra time firstly when Kieran Devitt was impeded on the edge of the box on 87 minutes, however claims for a penalty went unheard and then Derek O’Toole’s corner kick in the 92nd minute saw Eamonn Wade leap highest only to see his headed effort thump off the crossbar, the final whistle sounded seconds later to leave a gallant Rearcross side shattered on the day. Rearcross will be disappointed to have lost out on this occasion, but have already won the First Division League and Shield in glorious fashion and will look forward to next season’s return to the Premier Division. Nenagh AFC grafted well throughout and were delighted with their win in the end. Thanks to Clodiagh Rangers for hosting the Final and best of luck next season. Finally, thanks to all Rearcross supporters for great support on the day.

Nenagh AFC ‘B’: Eddie Spillane, Gary Byrne, Mark Shoer, Shane O’Gorman (Capt), Michael O’Brien,  Tommy Mitchell, Tommy Martin, Luke Kennedy, Daniel Butler, Willie Darcy, JoJo Dillon
Subs: Stephen Aherne for Mark Shoer (80th minute)
Subs Not Used: Kenneth Holland, Jordan Lewis, Ben Banaghan, Dylan Walsh

Rearcross: Eamonn O’Toole, Robert Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Eamonn Devitt, Eamonn Wade, Matthew Ryan Luke, Simon Kennedy, Liam O’Toole(Capt), Kieran Devitt, Derek O’Toole, Declan O’Toole
Subs: Diarmuid Sheehy for Matthew Ryan Luke (27th minute), Tommy Ryan Luke for Declan O’Toole (74th minute), Mark Hogan for Robert Harrington (87th minute)
Subs Not Used: Liam Ryan, Darren Quigley, Davy O’Toole, Brendan Shanahan

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
Assistant Referees: Jimmy McCarthy, Ger Roche

The Barry Cup Final brought the curtain down on a memorable season for Rearcross FC and whilst the Barry Cup result was disappointing on the day, we didn’t get the rub of the green either and a goal especially in the opening half would have set us on our way. In any event, a First Division League and First Division Shield double was a tremendous achievement following relegation from the Premier Division last season. Well done and congratulations to team management of Eamonn Devitt, Simon Kennedy and Diarmuid Sheehy on a splendid achievement and the feat is all the more worthy as all of the management team are still active players. Thanks also to team Trainer Derek O’Toole for his time and great work with the players during the season. Finally, thanks to all players for their efforts and commitment during the season. A total of 58 training sessions took place during the campaign as the effort and commitment bore fruition to clinch only a second NT&DL League Title for the Club during our thirty seasons of affiliation to the NT&DL which puts the achievement in context and 2012/2013 will always remain a standout season in the Club’s history.