Rearcross secure Barry Cup in penalty drama

The curtain finally came down on the NT&DL 2020 season, as Rearcross captured the Barry Cup at the expense of Clodiagh Rangers on Sunday.

Rearcross 2

Clodiagh Rangers 2 (AET)

Rearcross win 4-3 on pens

By Gary Culbert in Drombane

It was a nervy start, with both sides failing to get a foothold. Rearcross chose to play a back five and hit the league champions on the counter through Michael O’Gorman and James Deegan, with Patrick Dawson occasionally providing support from midfield. Clodiagh had the better chances in the first half, Sam Van Dam and James Murray both had efforts which went just wide; however, it was the visitors who growing more and more into the game.

Early in the second half there was a feeling amongst that - due to the extreme heat - we were likely to see a stalemate. Jack Kennedy was impressive for the hosts, but midway through the second half he failed to capitalise when the ball fell at his feet ten yards out.

Rearcross began to turn the screw and with twenty minutes to go, Patrick Dawson lost his marker and unleashed a fine effort from a central position twenty yards out; Clodiagh keeper Adrian Cooke was rooted to the spot, but he was saved by the upright.

Rearcross finally broke the deadlock on the 82nd minute as a Philip Deegan took a throw-in on the left and found Michael O’Gorman 25 yards out; he cut inside and dribbled across the face of goal, dodging two Clodiagh defenders before unleashing a low, right-footed strike just inside the near post.

It looked as though Rearcross had done enough, but in the 90th minute the hosts forced the ball home after a skirmish in the box following a corner. Most people in the ground were unsure whether or not the ball had actually crossed the line; however, the linesman had a clear line-of-site and was well placed to make the call, the goal stood and forced extra-time.

The first period of extra-time was fairly uneventful; however, just before the break there was drama aplenty. Daniel Moloney burst into the penalty area only to be brought down by Cathal Kennedy. Rob Harrington was involved in the foul too, but it was the young keeper who was cautioned by the referee. Tommy Lyons setpped up to put the home side in front.

Rearcross pushedd hard for an equalizer in the second period of extra-time, but it was John Carew at the other end who looked more likely to score; Paudi Gurder almost played him in behind the vacated Rearcross defence, only to be stopped by the last defender back.

With two minutes of extra-time remaining, Rearcross found a way through. Daniel Moloney committed a foul on the left, Michael O’Gorman swung in the resulting free-kick which Adrian Cooke chose to punch, but the clearance did not go far enough and Paul Nolan headed it back in and it made contact with the hand of Rob Doran; another penalty was awarded, and Greg Kennedy dispatched from twelve yards.

Penalties would be required to settle the last match of the NT&DL 2020 season. Adrian Cooke expertly saved Michael O’Gorman’s strike, whilst Paudi Gurder confidently sent Cathal Kennedy the wrong way. This time Cooke went low to his left to deny James Deegan, whilst Daniel Moloney went straight down the middle as Cathal Kennedy dived to his left. Cooke’s next act of heroics was to deny Patrick Dawson, who shot to the left of the Clodiagh keeper at a nice height.

This would transpire to be a turning point in the shootout as Clodiagh sent their next three penalties either over or against the crossbar whilst Greg Kennedy, Rob Harrington, and Kieran Devitt all scored for the visitors.

The match now entered sudden death for the remaining takers, Daniel Moloney and Stephen Rochford delivered for their respective sides, before Clodiagh missed the target once more as Rearcross claimed the silverware.

There were contrasting emotions at full-time, but both sides can be proud of their return this season.

As the dust settles on the NT&DL 2020 season, it can only be said that concluding the campaign was a great decision, but also that the manner in which the decision was reached and conveyed to clubs was superb. Clubs will have a small period of rest now, prior to the 2021 season which is due to kick-off in early August.

Rearcross: Cathal Kennedy; Paul Nolan, Eamon Wade, Rob Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Tommy Lyons; Kieran Devitt, Conor Nolan, Patrick Dawson; Michael O’Gorman, James Deegan.

Sub: Philip Deegan for Lyons (76).

Clodiagh Rangers: Adrian Cooke; Greg Fewer, John Ryan, Rob Doran, Pat Lowry; Brian Hanrahan, Jack Kennedy, Paul Hanley, Mark Butler, Sam Van Dam, James Murray.

Subs: Daniel Moloney for Van Dam (82), John Carew for Hanley (82), Paudi Gurder for Murray (105).

Referee: Jim McGrath.