Ardcroney Youths 3 - Rearcross Youths 0

A three goal blitz in a nine minute spell towards the end of the first half was the death knell in this Cup tie from a Rearcross perspective in Ardcroney last Saturday afternoon. Rearcross had made a lively start and came close with a good move following a James Deegan free kick after three minutes of play. Pat Stapleton then made space in front of goal in the 8th minute, however the quick fire effort dragged left of the Ardcroney upright. Rearcross were matching their First Division opponents all over the field at this stage as Sean Hickey did well to sheppard the ball wide on thirteen minutes. Rearcross custodian Dave Carroll who turned in a man of the match performance throughout produced a one handed block in the 19th minute. The save of the game came in the 25th minute when Dave Carroll reacted superbly to turn Ian McSherry's long range effort over the bar. Ardcroney took the lead 14 minutes before the break when Neil O'Meara's free kick effort was spot on the mark and nestled in the top corner to leave the the visiting keeper with no chance. Rearcross seemed to drop the heads and conceded a second three minutes later when the ball was squared from the left to Justin Cahill who turned the ball inside the post with a delicate finish. Rearcross counter attacked and Pat Stapleton wasn't far away following a corner kick. Rearcross missing some key players were dealt a further blow on the 40 minute mark when Jamie Heffernan sailed through the centre before prodding under an advancing Dave Carroll to leave the Rearcross with an uphill battle.

Rearcross to their credit upped the ante at the start of the second half and were denied six minutes after the re-start when Shane Lenihan's well struck free kick was inches away. Dave Carroll came to the rescue for the green and whites in the 61st minute after advancing off his line to make the save. Rearcross were unlucky not reduce the deficit midway through the second half when Shane Lenihan's free kick delivery was headed across the goalmouth by Pat Stapleton to the in running James O'Connor who glanced a header across the danger area to no avail. The locals went on to hit the upright with a pop shot from outside the box with nineteen minutes to go. Dave Carroll did well after this to keep the score line intact displaying some fine ball handling in the process. Rearcross will now focus on the remaining league games, best of luck to Ardcroney in the remainder of the competition.

 

Ardcroney Youths: Kieran Holland, Jack O'Shaughnessy, Thomas Cleary, Alan Darcy, Rob Austin, Ian McSherry, Shane Seymour, Neil O'Meara, Jamie Gaynor, Jamie Heffernan, Justin Cahill
Subs: David Reddan for Jack Shaughnessy, Eoin Williams for Jamie Heffernan, Mike Tanner for Jamie Gaynor

 

Rearcross Youths: Dave Carroll, James Deegan, James Healy, Colm Nolan, Sean Hickey, Shane Lenihan, Shane Fahy, Greg Kennedy(Capt), James O'Connor, Willian Mackey, Pat Stapleton
Subs: Micheál Murphy for William Mackey (54th minute)

Referee: Gar O'Shea