Rearcross 3 - Thurles Celtic 1
Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all.
Sam Ewing
Rearcross turned up their sleeves to produce a fantastic second half display against an impressive Thurles Celtic side in Rearcross on Saturday evening last. The visitors were indeed the first out of the traps and could have taken the lead as early as the 4th minute when an effort whipped in from the right hand side had Jim Caplis beaten - the woodwork saving Rearcross on this occasion. A frantic two minutes followed in which Damien Ryan’s connection from a Thurles Celtic corner kick flew inches over the bar while at the other end Liam Ryan’s cross was headed marginally wide by Paul Hogan. Paul’s younger brother Mark then made his first impression of the game with a 30 yard drive seven minutes later which almost found the net. Thurles, however, almost found the net once more in the 20th minute when a good move saw Josh Quinlan lift the ball over the cross bar much to the relief of the home team. Liam Ryan, who was busy all night at the other end, whizzed a low ball across the box two minutes later, followed by a header which flew just wide of the post from a Mark Hogan corner kick on the half hour mark. The first goal of the game came with five minutes to go in the first half when the visitors took a well deserved lead after Paul Connors let fly with a low shot which was beyond the reach of Jim Caplis, who only seconds before had saved brilliantly at point blank range from the aforementioned Connors. The home side made a strong finish to the half when an inch perfect cross from Paul Hogan on the right went a begging which was followed by a snapshot by Simon Kennedy which drifted wide of the target, the visitors therefore taking a 1-0 lead into the break. Five minutes into the second half arguably produced the turning point of the tie when Jim Caplis reflexed to palm the ball on to the underside of the crossbar as the impact shook the net before the ball was cleared. This save seemed to give Rearcross the impetus they were searching for and it didn’t take long for the home side to draw level – a superb Mark Hogan free kick effort from more than 25 yards out in the 52nd minute shaving the inside of the post to leave the visiting keeper with no chance. Thurles Celtic showed good character after this and it took a double defensive salvo from Eamon Wade to keep the visitors at bay four minutes later which was followed by a good Damien Ryan shot with flew over from close range as the game ebbed and flowed. Rearcross began to dominate for the first time in the game after this and got their lead goal with twenty eight minutes remaining after good work by Declan O’ Toole teed up Simon Kennedy who struck a powerful shot to the back of the net from all of twenty yards. Five minutes later and another Kennedy, Greg, sent in yet another long range pile driver on goal, Stephen Spillane in the Thurles goal doing well to turn the ball over at the expense of a corner kick. With fifteen minutes remaining and Rearcross now on top, the lead was stretched further still when Kieran Devitt’s first time flick released left back Greg Kennedy in behind the Thurles defence. Kennedy, still with a lot to do, executed a perfect lob over the oncoming keeper - a cheeky effort which capped off a fine performance by the young defender. The tie did not end there however and Jim Caplis had to be alert with ten minutes remaining to make a good leg save at the near post. The last chance of the game then fell to Damien Ryan for the visitors, the ball going wide of the mark on this occasion however, leaving Rearcross 3-1 victors at the full time whistle. Rearcross will be happy at their second half performance spearheaded by a strong defensive unit, superb show of character and lively showing from the bench.
Rearcross FC: Jim Caplis, Mark Hogan, Eamon Wade, Eamonn Devitt, Greg Kennedy, Declan O’ Toole, Simon Kennedy, Diarmuid Sheehy, Robert Harrington, Liam Ryan (R), Paul Hogan
Subs: Kieran Devitt for Paul Hogan (57th minute), Robert Harrington for Liam O’Toole (65th minute), Tommy Ryan Luke for Liam Ryan (82nd minute)
Subs Not Used: James Deegan, Darren Quigley
Thurles Celtic: Stephen Spillane, Darragh Quinlan, David Butler, Kieran Quinlan, Kevin Croke, Jamie Barry, Alan Considine, David Kickham, Josh Quinlan, Paul Connors, Damien Ryan
Subs: Gerry Holsen, John Fitzgibbon, David Considine, David Ryan
Referee: Jim McGrath
Report compiled by Simon Kennedy