Brave Rearcross bow out of FAI Junior Cup

The only North Tipperary & District League team left standing, Rearcross bowed out of the FAI Junior Cup at the third round but only after a gutsy performance against Cashel Town in Rearcross on Saturday night.

SOCCER: FAI Junior Cup 3rd Round

Rearcross 2

Cashel Town 3

Report: Gary Culbert in Rearcross

The game kicked off a minute or two early, and the hosts were a goal down before some fans made it into the ground. Cashel’s early lead came off the back of a corner; the visitors headed onto the crossbar from the ball in before Jim Calpis saved low to his right, Rearcross attempted to clear the ball out of the crowded penalty area - but the botched clearance fell to Pakie Farrell who cut onto his right foot and dispatched a clinical side-footed curling effort over Calpis – who’s position off his goal line made Farrell’s job slightly easier.

The South Tipperary Premier Division side started with an intensity that the Division 1 leaders just could not match, the hosts were pinned into their own half and things went from bad to worse on fifteen minutes, when Packie Farrell picked up the ball in a central position 25 yards out before skipping past his man and then riding a second challenge, he then unleashed an absolute rocket from just inside the box which left Calpis rooted to his line.

The packed stand was treated to another wonder goal on 28 minutes, Callum Maher powering the ball perfectly into the top corner. The three Rea’ centre backs were understandably occupied with the task of stopping Packie Farrell completing his hat-trick, which meant Maher was free and he cleverly picked up a position between the defensive and midfield lines, and he was well picked out by Jack Fitzpatrick. The central midfielder turned and fired a screamer right into the top corner from the edge of the box.

Rearcross had sporadic counter attacks in the first half without ever really threatening, the greasy conditions meant that a lot of the through balls outran the front two.

The first half was dominated by Cashel, with Rea’ possibly showing Brian Glasheen’s side too much respect.

Rearcross looked a different team in the second half, they physically stepped it up a gear and showed great passion and skill to earn the respect of this well drilled Cashel side.

James Deegan looked most likely for the hosts – the striker’s pace and trickery causing all sorts of trouble down the inside left channel. However, the route back into the game would come from centre back Robert Harrington, only minutes after a superb Calpis save kept the game alive for Rea’. The goal came off the back of a free kick from 35 yards which Harrington headed back the way it came, Eamonn Wade put his body on the line to force it back towards Harrington, who smashed the ball home with half an hour left to play.

Eamon Devitt’s charges were really fired up now and the home fans sensed a comeback was on. Rearcross gave it everything, but Cashel used all their experience to slow the game down and weather the storm. However, Rearcross don’t ever stop fighting and with four minutes of normal time remaining they scored a repeat of the first goal, only this time it was Harrington who nodded down to Philip Deegan to smash home.

Cashel were on the ropes now, but ultimately the clock was on their side, and they had done enough in the first half to earn a crack at St Michael’s in the next round.

Rearcross bow out, but they can hold their heads up high. The Barry Cup holders will now be looking to complete the double this season, and will have one eye on their favourable Kevin Fogarty Cup run too.

Player of the Match: Packie Farrell (Cashel Town)

Rearcross: Jim Calpis; Tommy Lyons, Eamon Wade, Robert Harrington, Greg Kennedy, Paul Nolan; Kieran Devitt, Philip Deegan, Conor Nolan; Michael O’Gorman, James Deegan.

Sub: Stephen Rochford for O’Gorman (78).

Cashel Town: Gearoid Slattery; Jack Fitzpatrick, Ian Hahessy, Conor Lonergan, Cian Moloney; Joe Breen, Aaron Moloney; Tom Keating, Mikey McDermott, Callum Maher; Patrick Farrell.

Subs: Alan O’Brien for Keating (81), Jack McGrath for Maher (75), Jack Hayes for Hahessy (45).

Referee: Robbie Nevin