Match Results & Reports

Holycross Youths 4 - Rearcross Youths 1

Rearcross Youths were the visitors to Glenbane for this league tie against Holycross and went under on a 4-1 score line. Rearcross were forced to make a number of changes from the previous week's victory but still made a promising start despite the heavy underfoot conditions and launched the early attacks, however it was the home side that hit the front on four minutes when Joe Coulson broke on the right before sending a low left footed drive to the back of the net. Reacross regrouped and came close in the 16th minute when Pat Stapleton produced the trickery but was luckless to lose his footing when firing on target that allowed the Holycross custodian to gather. It was proving to be a difficult outing for the Slieve Felim side and Greg Kennedy did well to get a shot in minutes later, however net minder Eoghan Moloney got down to block. Holycross doubled their advantage in the 21st minute when Joe Coulson made space on the right wing to crash home his second of the day. Rearcross kept on the offensive and were robbed sixteen minutes before the break when James Deegan's corner kick picked out Greg Kennedy with the headed effort barely outside the upright. Holycross took up a three nil lead when slack defending saw the ball break to Tom Quinlan who raced through the centre before shooting between the posts. Rearcross goalkeeper Dave Carroll turned in a strong performance throughout and came to the rescue three minutes before the break with a fine save. The deteriorating conditions saw the second half played on the adjoining pitch which produced a more even contest, a Colm Nolan free kick on 54 minutes saw Rearcross unlucky not to open their account following a goalmouth scramble which was followed with a Pat Stapleton effort that was saved at the near post. Dave Carroll was in the action a minute later after coming off his line to make a good body block. James O'Connor produced a man of the match performance throughout for Rearcross and released Pat Stapleton on the 65 minute mark, however the effort dragged away from the target. Holycross were also pressing and Dave Carroll did well to make a clean catch from a Holycross corner kick in a crowded goalmouth. Joe Coulson completed his hat trick with a well taken goal in the 69th minute to edge Holycross four nil ahead. The visitors didn't throw in the towel and Pat Stapleton who worked tirelessly throughout tucked the ball in side the post with a well struck effort some three minutes later. Rearcross kept plugging and a James Deegan free kick following good work by James O'Connor in the middle of the field saw the Holycross keeper parry the ball over the bar in the 82nd minute. Both sides had chances in the remaining minutes, however it remained 4-1 to Holycross at the final whistle.
Congratulations to Holycross FC on the launch of their Phase 2 Grounds Development Programme in what is a most impressive and ambitious venture.

 

Holycross Youths: Eoghan Moloney, Dominic Coleman, Paul Morris, John Paul Butler, Steven Quirke(Capt), Matthew Deane, Tom Quinlan, Mark Shannon, Sean Nally, Tom Quinlan, Joe Coulson, David Ryan

 

Rearcross Youths: Dave Carroll, PJ Bourke, James Healy, Colm Nolan, Sean Hickey, James Deegan, Shane Fahy, Greg Kennedy(Capt), James O'Connor, Marc Murphy, Pat Stapleton
Subs: William Mackey for PJ Bourke (55th minute), Micheál Murphy for Marc Murphy (59th minute)

Referee: Liam Kelly