Rearcross stun Premier Division title hopefuls Ballymackey in Munster Junior Cup upset

Munster Junior Cup

Ballymackey 1-3 Rearcross

A fired-up Rearcross side took full advantage of a sleepy start from Premier Division title hopefuls Ballymackey on Sunday morning in Ballinree.

Paul Carey’s hard-working Rearcross side brought an intensity and determination that Ballymackey simply couldn’t match.

The home side were perhaps somewhat guilty of underestimating the Slieve Felim side, but they were quickly brought back to reality when James Deegan rattled the net on the quarter-hour mark.

The first sign of an upset came after just five minutes when Cillian Kennedy slid agonisingly close to opening the scoring. The next warning sign came when Rea’ hit the post from long range, but Rearcross would not be denied for long as James Deegan continued his purple patch of scoring after a positive run by Eoin Sheldon.

Ballymackey played themselves back into the game, but were denied by two top saves from Rea’ skipper Cathal Kennedy.

In the second half, Ballymackey continued to look promising down Cian Galvin’s side, but it was Aidan White who had the biggest chance to draw the sides level.

It was by no means all Ballymackey though; Rea’ still offered a huge threat on the counter, as Ballymackey soon found out when James Deegan squared for substitute Stephen Rochford to poke home.

Cian Galvin topped off an impressive performance with an instant reply to make it 2-1, but Stephen Rochford struck again to secure safe progression to the open draw of the MJC.

Goalkeeper Cathal Kennedy had a fine game, Greg Kennedy was a man possessed in defence, but it was the work rate of Eoin Sheldon that won the Player of the Match plaudits.

Rearcross will look to build on this win when they host Ardcroney on Saturday night in the league. With Ardcroney struggling for form, a Rearcross win is very likely in the 7.30pm kick-off under lights.

Ballymackey (4-2-3-1): Taylor Duffy; Paddy Alonso, Eamonn White, Darragh Spillane, Cathal Spillane; Adam Steed, Cathal Delaney; Jack Kenneally, Aidan White, Cian Galvin; James Kenneally.

Substitutions: Colm Maher for Jack Kenneally (65’), Dennis Haverty for Delaney (70’), Damien Bergin for Alonso (70’), Johnno Lawlor for Steed (80’).

Rearcross (4-4-2): Cathal Kennedy; Brian Nolan, Greg Kennedy, Paul Nolan, Jake Slattery; Paddy Dawson, Eoin Sheldon, Conor Nolan, Philly Deegan; James Deegan, Cillian Kennedy.

Substitutions: Stephen Rochford for P. Deegan (63’), James Rochford for Cillian Kennedy (92’), Gary O’Brien for Slattery (92’), Adam Hurley for Dawson (92’).

Player of the Match: Eoin Sheldon (Rearcross)

Referee: Derek Halpin