Borrisokane Youths 3 - Rearcross Youths 1

Rearcross Youths made the early morning journey to Borrisokane for this league fixture against the home side and were unlucky not to come away with at least a draw after conceding two late goals. A highly competitive encounter played on a resplendent new pitch saw Rearcross dominate the early exchanges. A Colm Nolan free kick was gathered by the Borrisokane net minder in the 5th minute and then Shane Lenihan swung in a cross field delivery on fourteen minutes to the in runnig Pat Stapleton, however the ball was scrambled over the end line after the Borrisokane rearguard closed in to avert the danger. Borrisokane's Gary Power fired on target minutes later, however new signing Richard Ryan in the Rearcross goal was well positioned to make the block. The closest call of the half came on the twenty minute when Greg Kennedy broke through the centre rounding three players in the process before letting fly with a cracking effort, however Shane Stapleton somehow managed to turn the ball outside the post at the expense of corner. Pat Stapleton's low drive coming five minutes before the half was on target, however the home side's keeper got down to save. Rearcross came close again two minutes later when centre half Sean Reynolds was inches away with a headed effort from a Shane Lenihan corner kick.
Rearcross got off to the worst possible start in the second half when Brian Donnelly slided the ball in from the left where David Nevin knocked to the net from close range with just two minutes gone. A one nil deficit and playing against a strong breeze left the visitors with a daunting task, however the green and whites upped the ante and Shane Lenihan made room to fire in a good effort minutes later. Killimer's Sean Reynolds whose father Noel played for Rearcross in the late eighties had a fine outing throughout and made successive clearances to thwart promising attacks for the home side. James Deegan was in an attack minded mood and struck a long range effort on 52 minutes which flew over. Rearcross got a deserved equaliser in the 58th minute when Greg Kennedy collected the ball just outside the box before sending a rasping effort to the roof of the net. Shane Lenihan laid of to James Deegan a minute later with the resulting effort not far away. James Deegan was in the action again in the 61st minute with a low drive from far out that was goal bound, however the Borrisokane keeper kept the ball out with a reflex leg save. Borrisokane bolstered by four players from last Sunday's Munster Intermediate Hurling Final nearly restored their lead with 13 minutes to go when Brian Davis's free kick was met by Andy Nevin with the glancing header barely outside the upright. Borriskane then pounced for two quick fire goals in the space of two minutes, the first coming in the 81st minute when Shane Dooley got in behind to slip the ball under Richard Ryan who did well to get a touch, however the ball finished in the net. Borrisokane struck again a minute later when sub Neil Houlahan side footed between the posts from just inside the eighteen yard box. This was a cruel blow to a Rearcross side that deserved something from the game but the positives will be taken from what was an overall promising performance despite the score line. New signings Richard Ryan, Sean Reynolds and James O'Connor had strong debuts for the green and whites and Rearcross can now look forward to their next outing.

 

Rearcross Youths: Richard Ryan, James Deegan, Dave Carroll, Colm Nolan, Sean Reynolds, Sean Hickey, Pat Stapleton, Greg Kennedy, James O'Connor, Shane Lenihan, Shane Fahy.
Subs: Michéal Murphy, William Mackey

Borrisokane Youths: Shane Stapleton, Mike Fox, Andy Nevin, Enda Brennan, Stephen Stack, Brian Donnelly, Shane Dooley, Brian Davis, Gary Power, David Nevin, Shane Nevin
Subs: Niall Cahalan, Ger Reddan, Francis Kelly, Neil Houlahan.

 

Referee: Jim McGrath

 

 

Rearcross FC Youths

Back Row (L to R): Sean Reynolds, Greg Kennedy (Capt), James O'Connor, Richard Ryan, Pat Stapleton, Shane Fahy, Dave Carroll
Front Row(L to R): Sean Hickey, Shane Lenihan, William Mackey, Colm Nolan, Cillian Kennedy, James Deegan, Michéal Murphy,

Borriskane FC Youths

Back Row (L to R): Enda Brennan, Mike Fox, Shane Stapleton, David Nevin, Brian Donnelly, Gary Power
Front Row(L to R): Brian Davis, Shane Dooley, Stephen Stack, Shane Nevin, Andy Nevin

 

Borrisokane's Shane Nevin shows good ball control with James Deegan (left) and James O'Connor (right)

 

Borrisokane's Brian Davis takes a tumble with Sean Hickey(right) and Shane Lenihan on the attack.

 

Shane Lenihan tries to find a way through on the right wing with Borrisokane's Shane Dooley closing in.