Rearcross Youths 4 - Ardcroney Youths 4
Rearcross FC Grounds was the venue for this thrilling league encounter on Friday evening with the home side snatching a share of the points with a 90 minuute equalizer against a well-disciplined Ardcroney side. Rearcross got off to the worst possible start when Ardcroney tool a fortuitious lead in the second minute when a ball whipped in from the right fell kindly to Chris Fogarty who knocked the ball inside the upright despite the best efforts of Darragh Ryan Luke. The First Division side continued to press and Cormac Houlihan's low drive skidded towards the Rearcross custodian who did well to make the block. Rearcross grew in stature as the half wore on and took the lead with a free kick of real class after Darragh Kennedy was fouled outside the box, Aidan Moloney stepped up to send a screamer to the top corner from twenty five yards. The visitors were still applying pressure and Cormac Houlihan blazed wide with a good effort on the fifteen minute mark. Rearcross were well up for this tie and took the lead five minutes later when Aidan Moloney produced the trickery on the left by-line before pulling the ball back with a deft touch, the well struck shot from a tight angle curled inside the far upright in what was a fine strike. Darragh Kennedy worked hard throughout and attacked on the left before letting fly with a good shot that wasn't far away. It was end to end fare throughout and Ardcroney were back level when an overzealous tackle saw Jim McGrath pointing to the spot on 31 minutes, Aidan Boyle made no mistake with the resulting conversion. William Mackey came to the rescue with a last ditch goal line clearance two minutes later. Darragh McGrath sent Aidan Moloney through on goals with an inch perfect pass, however keeper Conor Cleary kept his nerve to make a fine save. The Rearcross number one not to be outdone advanced to make a brave save at the feet of Jack O'Sullivan two minutes before the break. Ardcroney made a similar start to the second half and Darragh Kennedy did well to head clear from a corner kick shortly after the restart and then Gary O'Brien did extremely well to turn the ball away from the base of the upright when it looked like a goal might be scrambled over the line. Rearcross regrouped and took the lead on the hour mark when Gary O'Brien's corner kick was met by Darragh McGrath whose headed flick turned inside the post. Ardcroney were still very much in the tie and Cormac Boyle's free kick finished in the side netting midway through the half. It was all square fifteen minutes from time when Aidan Boyle's low free kick effort from in front of goal went straight to the net. The green & whites were denied the lead nine minutes from time when Aidan Moloney rounded the keeper, however Anthony Spillane got back to cut out for a corner kick, the ball broke from the resulting kick with the home side forward in numbers, Chris Fogarty dribbled all of eighty yards to slot the ball between the posts. It looked as if the game had slipped from Rearcross, however the opposite happened as a major offensive onslaught saw Dylan Ryan in space in front of goal, however the visiting custodian who had a fine outing made the save, seconds later a long range effort from Ben O'Dea was on target and it looked as if the effort might dip under the cross bar, however Conor Cleary gathered cleanly. Next up was Aidan Moloney who paced through on goal, however Cleary was again to the fore with a superb reflex save. Rearcross got their just reward in the 90th minute when Aidan Moloney's well struck free kick put the Ardcroney keeper under pressure with Ben O'Dea taking full advantage before bundling the ball to net. The Second Division side played out four minutes of injury time and it was to take a full stretch fingertip save from Darragh Ryan Luke to earn a spirited result for Rearcross. An unusual but worthwhile league format saw Rearcross earn their first result against a First Division side and Rearcross will look forward to welcoming the other First Division sides to Rearcross as we look to add to our Second Division league tally.
Rearcross Youths: Darragh Ryan Luke, David Stapleton, Gary O'Brien, William Mackey, Kevin Mulcahy, Tommy Lyons, Darragh McGrath, Brian Carey, Darragh Kenendy, Aidan Moloney, Luke McKenna
Subs: John Stapleton for Luke McKenna (59th minute), Dylan Ryan for Tommy Lyons (79th minute), Ben O'Dea for Darragh Kennedy (85th minute)
Subs Not Used: Martin Nolan, Shane Kennedy, Jamie Russell, Gary McMahon, Marcus Troy
Ardcroney FC:Conor Cleary, Ciaran Spillane, Adrian Hayes, Anthony Spillane, Cormac Boyle, Aidan Boyle, Ross O'Meara, Cormac Houlihan, Kieran Lillis, Jack O'Sullivan, Chris Fogarty
Subs: Patrick Reddan for Jack O'Sullivan (70th minute)
Subs Not Used: Cathal Hayes, Sean Cleary
Referee: Jim McGrath