Rearcross Youths came from behind twice to earn a share of the spoils against BT Harps in this floodlit league encounter played in Rearcross on Friday evening. The home side missing some regulars were slow out of the traps and paid the price after conceding the opener inside the second minute when Eric Quinlan breezed through the centre of the Rearcross defence before slotting between the posts. Rearcross counter attacked and Gary McMahon did well on the right before squaring across the goal area, however the visitors booted to safety. The signs were ominous for the Rea boys on seven minutes when BT Harps stretched their lead to two after Kevin Hassett's long range delivery finished in the net. The Rearcross reaction was almost instantaneous and the home side were back in the tie two minutes later when Kevin Mulcahy's free kick broke to Darragh Kennedy who slipped the ball inside the upright from close range. John Shanahan combined with Darragh Kennedy on fourteen minutes when the latter's shot pulling wide of the mark. Rearcross were on top at this stage and Tommy Lyons let fly with a good effort, however the visiting custodian saved under the bar. It was all square in the 22nd minute when Darragh Kennedy's shot from the left deceived Rory O'Dwyer in the BT Harps goal. Darragh Kennedy produced a man of the match performance and was in the thick of the action again in the 25th minute with a pile driver that forced a parried save from the visiting keeper. BT Harps were on top towards the end of the half and the home side were let off the hook albeit briefly when Eric Quinlan got on the end of Brian Roche's delivery from the right as the headed effort dragged away from the target. The Templemore side took a 3-2 lead to the break with a somewhat fortuitous goal when a ball in to the centre was knocked over the line with the credit going to Paddy Morrissey. Rearcross enjoyed the better of the exchanges at the start of the second half and Rearcross captain Brian Carey who turned in a fine display throughout came close with a good shot. Darragh Ryan Luke came to the rescue when Sam Van Damme was through on goal in the 52 minute, however the Garavane custodian advanced to make a superb save to turn the ball outside the post. Rearcross got back level for the second time on 63 minutes when Darragh Kennedy dribbled through the centre before firing on goal, the ball was parried on to the underside of the cross bar before coming back in to play where Luke McKenna was on hand to bundle the ball over the line. The hosts took the game to the First Division side after this and Tommy Lyons linked up with Luke McKenna before Brian Carey was unlucky with a good effort. Brian Carey was to the fore again with fifteen minutes to go after connecting with Ben O'Dea's pass as the ball skidded inches outside the far post. Darragh Ryan Luke had to be aleat to punch clear under pressure three minutes later and then Gary O'Brien did well to tidy up at the back. Tommy Lyons advanced on the right three minutes from time and whipped in the cross to Brian Carey whose deft touch saw the ball whiz across the face of the goal. The visitor's claims for a penalty went unheard a minute later and then Darragh Ryan Luke showed bravely in the final minute to avert the danger, the full time whistle sounded seconds later as a draw was deemed a fair result on the night.

Rearcross Youths: Darragh Ryan Luke, David Stapleton, Martin Nolan, Kevin Mulcahy, Gary O'Brien, Darragh Kennedy, Brian Carey(Capt), Ben O'Dea, Tommy Lyons, John Stapleton, Gary McMahon
Subs: Luke McKenna,Jamie Russell, Shane Quigley

BT Harps Youths: Rory O'Dwyer, Brian Roche, Joe Kennedy, Kevin Hassett, Michael O'Meara, Paul Hanley, Jordan Murphy, Eric Quinlan, Paddy Morrissy, Carl Stakelum, Robert O'Connell, Dylan Loughnane,
Subs: Niall Martin, Dylan McLeish, Joe Maher, Sam Van Damme

Referee: Alec McCormack

Rearcross Youths
Back Row (L to R): Luke McKenna, William Mackey, Tommy Lyons, Darragh Kennedy, Gary O'Brien, Kevin Mulcahy,
Ben O'Dea, Darragh Ryan Luke, Joey Nolan
Front Row (L to R): Jamie Russell, David Stapleton, Gary McMahon, John Shanahan, Brian Carey, Martin Nolan, Shane Quigley

 

BT Harps Youths
Back Row (L to R): Dylan McLeish, Niall Martin, Rory O'Dwyer, Sam Van Damme, Eric Quinlan, Michael O'Meara,
Carl Stakelum, Joe Kennedy, Robert O'Connell
Front Row(L to R): Dylan Loughnane, Joe Maher, Paul Hanley, Paddy Morrissey, Brian Roche, Kevin Hassett, Jordam Murphy