Victory for Rearcross in Newport Tournament
Rearcross 'A' 4 - Newport 'A' 3
Rearcross 'A' recorded a highly merited victory over a fancied Newport on a 4-3 scoreline last Friday evening in the final of the Newport Tournament. Rearcross 'A' who went in to this game as underdogs got off to the worst possible start and found themselves two nil down at half time after Niall Dunne found the net twice for Newport. A brilliant second half performance by Rearcross saw Thomas Kennedy pull a goal back early in the second half when he scored from close range. Thomas Kennedy was again on hand to score his second ten minutes later when he shot to the corner of the goals from outside the eighteen yard box. Rearcross were now in flying form and took the lead when Noel Deegan scored from the penalty spot. However with ten minutes remaining Newport got back on level terms when Noel Murray converted from the penalty spot. With four minutes remaining Noel Deegan headed the winning goal to the net from a corner kick much to the delight of the large contingent of Rearcross supporters.
Rearcross defeated Newport 'B' in the first round
of the tournament on a three nil scoreline, Nicky Carroll, Myles Devitt &
Liam Nolan(C) were the marksmen. The semi-final saw the pairing of Rearcross
and Cappamore with a Nicky Carroll hattrick securing a place in the final
for Rearcross.
Tournament Panel: Oliver Kennedy, Noel Deegan, Ger Kennedy, Denis Kennedy, Paul Reynolds, Liam Nolan(C), Brendan Quigley, Paul Taylor, Kevin O'Donovan, Joe Nolan, Nicky Carroll, Myles Devitt, Thomas Kennedy, Pat Deegan, Liam Caplis.
Newport Town F.C. Notes (Limerick Chronicle
- 10th August 1993)
With the new season only a week away, both our 'A' and 'B' squads have been
engaged in tournaments in preparation for the off. Our 'A' squad under new
manager John Larkin, got off to a good start by winning the Rearcross Tournament
where they defeated Birdhill 3-1 in the final. Those t to impress were Mike
Donoghue, Brendan O'Brien and John Mahony.
In our own Tournament our 'B' squad made their exit against a very lively
Rearcross side. On the night they were beaten three nil but it must be said
the side contained four players under 16
Rearcross defeated Cappamore in the semi-final and our 'A' squad accounted
for Birdhill, who had beaten Lisnagry in the first round. The final took place
last Friday night and supporters from both sides turned out in large numbers.
Newport were red hot favourites and the game went as predicted in the opening
half. Niall Dunne opened the scoring after five minutes when he tapped in
after an excellent build-up involving Murray and O'Brien. Two minutes later
he scored a second after a mix-up in the visitors defence. It was all one
way traffic at this stage, but Rearcross served notice of their intentions
when Tom Kennedy was unlucky to see a powerful header come back off the crossbar
with keeper Jones well beaten. Half Time 2-0.
The first fifteen minutes of the second half saw Newport play some delightful
football and on many occasions should have increased their lead. With only
25 minutes remaining the whole match changed when Tom Kennedy latched on to
a loose ball in the home penalty area to reduce the deficit. Rearcross were
inspired by the goal and began to pile on the pressure and five minutes later
Kennedy struck again to level the match. The game flowed from end to end with
chances falling to both sides, Nicky Carroll was unlucky for Rearcross and
John Mahony went close for Newport. Carroll was a constant threat to our defence
and it was he who was taken down in the box with only fifteen minutes remaining.
Noel Deegan slotted the spot kick home and the Rearcross fans were in jubilant
mood. Credit to Newport, they rallied and O'Brien and Murray put the visitors
defence under pressure. The waves of attacks eventually paid off when Ger
Kennedy upended O'Brien in the box and Newport were awarded a penalty which
Murray slotted home. Ten minutes to go and all square at 3-3 and looking like
the dreaded penalty shootout. However, it was Rearcross who finished stronger
and from a corner Noel Deegan headed home to leave the scoreline 4-3 and that
was how if finished. Club chairman John O'Brien called on Martin O'Sullivan
to present the magnificant O'Sullivan Perpetual Trophy to Rearcross captain
Ger Kennedy. Referee Jim Lees had an excellent tournament overall.
Manager John Larkin was left to reflect on a game that Newport definitely
let slip, and certainly there will have to be many better individual performances
if Newport are to hold out any hope of honours this season. Once again we
thank all the teams that took part and congratulate Rearcross on their tremendous
victory.