Templetuohy 2 - Rearcross 'A' 1

A very much depleted Rearcross 'A' side travelled to Killoran Park for this Munster Junior Cup against Second Division side Templetuohy and lost out on a 2-1 score line. Rearcross made a promising start on pitch surface that very much belied the recent atrocious weather conditions, Andy Murphy forced the first save of the game on four minutes when the Templetuohy custodian turned the ball out for a corner kick. Liam Ryan was in the action again a minute later with a good effort that saw Joe Leahy in the Templetuohy goal save again at the expense of the corner, the Templetuohy keeper gathered the resulting corner cleanly. Rearcross continued on the rampage and went ahead on seven minutes when Michael O'Gorman was the provider on the right to the in running Andy Murphy who crashed his fifth goal of the season to the back of the net from close range. Templetuohy regrouped after this and came close two minutes later when Pat Meade's free kick delivery was headed just wide by Niall Russell. The home side got back on par in the 12th minute when David Bourke advanced on the left before sending a low drive inside the near post. It was indeed to be a keeper's day with both custodians proving to be the best players on the field and Greg Kennedy stepped in to the action for Rearcross on the fifteen minute mark with a fine body save. Michael O'Gorman created space to fire a low effort across the Templetuohy goal mouth three minutes later. Andy Murphy's and Shane Lenihan's paths crossed on 25 minutes and it was Shane Lenihan who let fly with a well struck effort that wasn't far away. Greg Kennedy made a superb finger tip save two minutes later after a getting a vital but unnoticed touch on a long range effort. Templetuohy went ahead sixteen minutes before the break when Rearcross gave away possession in the middle of the field, the ball broke to Joe O'Grady who made no mistake from in front of goal. The visitors made a strong finish to the half and a Liam Ryan shot was blocked down, then the final piece of action saw the Rearcross netminder doing well to deny the home side.

Rearcross had the first chance of the second half when Liam Ryan launced the ball over the top to Matthew Ryan Luke, however the ball didn't fall too kindly and the chance went abegging. Liam Ryan followed up minutes later with a blasted efforted from in front of goal that lifted over the bar. Greg Kennedy raced off his line after reading the situation to perfection before clearing the ball to safety despite claims from the home side that the ball was handled outside the area. A darting run from James Gough midway through the half saw the ball break to Andy Murphy, however Joe Leahy in the Templetuohy goals made the save. Rearcross should have equalised on 66 miutes when the ball somehow stayed out after successive efforts by the visitors to drive the ball over the line. Liam Ryan's inswinging corner kick looked as if it might carry over the line, however the Templetuohy keeper did well to gather just in time. It was proving not to be for Rearcross when James Gough shot wide ten minutes from time. Rearcross keeper Greg Kennedy turned in a man of the match performance and proved his worth once again on 84 minutes when a long range effort was goal bound, however the young net minder deadened the shot before saving on the second attempt. Templetuohy defended in numbers to the end to book their place in the third round of the competition.

 

Templetuohy: Joe Leahy, Brian Kelly, Mark Kelly, Paul Bourke, Pat Meade, Joe O'Grady, Martin Costigan, Eddie Everard, David Bourke, Niall Russell, John Hassett.

Sub: Tom Meade for John Hassett

 

Rearcross 'A': Greg Kennedy, Robert Harrington, Brian Sheehy, Martin McLoughlin, Derek O'Toole, James Gough, Michael O'Gorman, Matthew Ryan Luke, Shane Lenihan, Andy Murphy, Liam Ryan
Sub: Ger Kennedy

Man of the Match: Greg Kennedy

 

Referee: Jim McGrath