Rathcormac open their AUL season with a big win over Corkbeg

Rathcormac 3 

Corkbeg 0

Rathcormac FC hit the ground running for their first game of the season with a 3-0 victory over Corkbeg FC in League 1 at the Mayfield United complex.

Star of the show was Richard Morrisson who got a hat-trick in the action.

The Beg had a lot of possession throughout the contest, but balls over the top proved to be a killer blow as Morrisson punished them every time with his pace and clinical finishing.

Rathcormac were presented with a great chance early on when Lorcan Rudge fumbled to allow Morrisson in, but the striker uncharacteristically fired over to waste a chance.

Then, when the Beg’s Keelan Kennedy’s cross was cleared, Jordan Ryan latched on to the loose ball before forcing Ben Hogan to save at the second attempt.

And when Oisin Worsencroft worked it on for Mark Hogan, he directed his effort narrowly past the far post before Ashton Hanaway headed over from Jordan Ryan’s corner.

Dean Russell won the race for possession over the advancing Rudge, but could not reach the available Morrisson with his cross.

Rathcormac’s defence were then caught with a 3 on 2, but when Fionn Keohane was accorded space, he scooped over.

Hesitancy then by Lorcan Rudge allowed Richard Morrisson the chance to charge down his attempt to clear as the ball found its way into the Beg’s net for Rathcormac’s opener on 24.

Morrisson was proving to be a thorn in the side of the Beg’s defence and he was unlucky to see his thumping effort crash down from the underside of the bar before being cleared.

At the other end, Ryan O’Regan forced Ben Hogan to save from his effort outside the box and when the loose ball arrived for him again, he slammed his effort wide.

Then, after Mark Hogan’s goal-bound effort came back off Matt Quinn, a clearance over the top reached Morrisson, who got the better of two defenders before lifting his effort over.

Minutes later, Morrisson made sure this time, when from another ball over the top, he controlled before placing accurately past the advancing Rudge to double his side’s advantage on 55.

The Beg refused to be bowed and when Ryan O’Regan gathered control on the right, his effort to pick out the available Worsencroft was cut out promptly by the alert Ben Hogan.

But, the Beg had a narrow escape when from Jake Tobin’s corner, Tadgh Lawton headed inches wide while unattended inside the box.

Then, not for the first time, another one of those balls over the top, sat up for Morrisson as he applied the finishing touches once again with a neat finish to make it finally 3-0 to Rathcormac.

Rathcormac FC: Ben Hogan, Tomas Macak, Matt Quinn, Tadgh Lawton, Oisin Roche, Tom Murray, Ciaran Crowley, Colin Hogan, Dean Russell, Richard Morrisson and Daniel Pooley.

Subs: Jake Tobin for Colin Hogan (35), Dom Wojtas for Daniel Pooley (63), Wayne O’Leary for Dean Russell (66), Junior Sangwa for Richard Morrisson (86).

Corkbeg: Lorcan Rudge, Keelan Kennedy, Oliver Jordan, Tariq Tynan, Jordan Ryan, Oisin Worsencroft, Fionn Keohane, Ryan O’Regan, Mark Hogan, Ashton Hanaway and Oisin Shannahan.

Subs: Jacob Laffan for Oisin Worsencroft (85).

Referee: Alan McDonagh.