Blackcastle 'B' 0 - Rearcross 'B' 2

Rearcross 'B' turned in a merited performance in Templemore last Sunday morning against Blackcastle 'B' in the Divisional Cup semi-final and progressed to the Final on a two nil score line, the opening exchanges were evenly shared with Rearcross coming close early on when the ball broke to Davy Ryan Luke whose effort wasn't far over, Blackcastle started to show strongly midway through the half and Liam Nolan(B) was forced to head out for a corner, the resulting delivery fell to Jim Fogarty who let fly first time however the strike was blocked out to safety. Rearcross were back in the action a minute later when Thomas Kennedy broke through on goal and sent in a right-footed effort that skidded past the far upright. The blustery conditions weren't favourable to either side, Davy Ryan Luke's effort from far out three minutes later was on target, however the Templemore custodian was well positioned to gather cleanly. Rearcross finished the half strongly and a fine piece on individual skill from Nigel Ryan in the middle of the field sent Liam Ryan down the left flank in the 32nd minute, however the Blackcastle defence closed in to smother the danger. Rearcross took the lead two minutes later when Thomas Kennedy's corner kick was met at the back post by James Nolan who headed home from close range, Rearcross had further chances to extend their lead after this with Liam Ryan and Nigel Ryan coming close, Blackcastle made a final attack before the half time whistle and it took good tackles from Liam Nolan(B) and Anthony Ryan to deny the home side. Rearcross were fortunate not to concede an equaliser two minutes in to the second half when sloppy defended handed the initiative to the Templemore side, however Eamon Devitt recovered the situation by clearing off the line at the expense of a corner kick, Jim Fogarty was on hand again to strike a well struck effort just left of the upright from the follow up corner kick. The game was on a knife edge for most of the second half, Thomas Kennedy set up Liam Nolan(B) in the 60th minute with the Blackcastle custodian getting down well to make the save, it was the turn of Jim Caplis five minutes later when a move on the left produced a pile driver that saw the Rearcross custodian doing extremely well to turn the ball over the cross bar. Rearcross made a strong finish to the game and were unlucky not to edge further ahead with successive efforts from Nigel Ryan, however Thomas Kennedy made sure of the win in the 90th minute with a chipped effort and his sixth of the season after good work from Colin O'Doherty. Thanks to Blackcastle Utd. for accommodating the later kick off.

Blackcastle 'B': Dean Loughnane, Mark Fennell, Steven Fennell, Michael Leahy, JJ Allen, Jim Fogarty, Michael Fennell, Alan Moore, Trevor Quinn, Eoin Ryan, Cathal Leahy,
Subs: Paul Touhy, Paul Kilroy, Tommy Murphy, David Touhy, Billy Prout, Johnny Martins(All Used)

Rearcross 'B': Jim Caplis, Eamon Devitt, Tommy Ryan Luke, Anthony Ryan, Damien Mullins, James Nolan, Liam Nolan(B), Davy Ryan Luke, Nigel Ryan, Thomas Kennedy, Liam Ryan
Subs: Declan O'Toole for James Nolan (75th minute - injured), Colin O'Doherty for Liam Ryan (83rd minute)
Subs Not Used: Pat Wixted, Val Kennedy, Joey Nolan, Theo English, Mike Carey

Referee: Liam Kelly
Assistant Referees: Tony Canning, Donal Mackey