Clodiagh Rangers Youths 5 - Rearcross Youths 1
Rearcross Youths were the visitors to Drombane for this league game against Youth Division Two league champions Clodiagh Rangers and succumbed to a 5-1 defeat against a rampant home side. Clodiagh Rangers signalled their intent from the off and piled on the early pressure with Rearcross centre half Richard Ryan very much to the fore in the early stages. Rearcross settled in to the game after those opening forays and came close in the 9th minute when Pat Stapleton combined well with Shane Lenihan with the latter firing to the side netting from a tight angle. The Drombane side counter attacked and won a free kick out on the left flank a minute later, the resulting delivery was pin point and James Horan timed his jump to perfection before headed to the roof of the net. The green and whites rallied and Marc Murphy found room to fire on target, however the Clodiagh custodian Jack Coffey was well positioned to make the block. Rearcross were let of the hook minutes later with a headed effort that thumped of the crossbar. The visitors were working hard to get back on par and a James Deegan long range free kick saw James O'Connor get behind the home side's rearguard with the headed flick skidding outside the upright. Rearcross went two down with seventeen minutes remaining in the half when possession was lost on the end line, an attempted clearance saw the ball eventually break to James Horan who drilled a sweet left foot effort from all of 25 yards that nestled in the top corner of the net. The league winners turned up the heat and a Dave Carroll header on 32 minutes averted the danger temporarily at least, however it was short lived as Shane O'Dwyer made it three nil a minute later after sliding the ball inside the post following a double save from Greg Kennedy.
Rearcross made a positive enough start to the second half despite the score line and Sean Hickey set up Pat Stapleton who shot over with a well struck effort five minutes in. The home side further increased their tally when Ailbe O'Donoghue took full advantage before driving to the net from just inside the box. Rearcross were thrown a life line in the 53rd minute when Pat Stapleton was through on goal only to be taken down, Shane Lenihan stepped up to rifle the resulting penalty to the back of the net. William Mackey followed up a minute later with a good effort that was inches over the Clodiagh crossbar. Rearcross battled gallantly to reduce parity and James Healy came closest thirteen minutes from time with a fine left footed effort that saw the Clodiagh net minder produce a superb save at the near post. It was fait accompli in the 85th minute when Shane Kinnane advanced through the centre before slotting between the posts to copper fasten the league title for Clodiagh Rangers.
Clodiagh Rangers Youths: Jack Coffey, Jack Spillane, Paul Shanahan, James Murray(Capt.), Seamus Armstrong, Diarmuid Grant, Ciaran Shortt, James Horan, Shane O'Dwyer, Ailbe O'Donoghue, Tommy Stevens.
Subs: Shane Kinnane, Sean Coffey, Andy Ely, Paul Ryan, Ger Grant, Aaron Lewis, Dylan Sheridan, Kevin Ryan, Joe Lowry, Adam O'Malley
Rearcross Youths: Greg Kennedy(Capt), James Deegan, Dave Carroll, Colm Nolan, Richard Ryan, Sean Hickey, Shane Fahy, Pat Stapleton, James O'Connor, Shane Lenihan, Marc Murphy
Subs: James Healy for Marc Murphy(36th minute), William Mackey for Dave Carroll (45th minute), Micheál Murphy for Colm Nolan (54th minute)
Referee: Tony Canning
Clodiagh Ranger Youths - Youths League Division Two Champions 2010 / 2011
Rearcross Youths
Clodiagh Rangers Diarmuid Grant(left) on the attack with Pat Stapleton in pursuit and
referee Tony Canning in close attendance
Clodiagh Rangers Ciaran Shortt jumps highest against team mate Ailbe O'Donogue and
Rearcross defender Richard Ryan.
Ball breaks to Ciaran Shortt following exchange with Rearcross player James O'Connor
with Pat Stapleton and Clodiagh's Shane O'Dwyer(right) also in the action.
(L to R): Eamon Maher (Team Management), James Murray(Capt.), Adrian Cooke (Team Management)