Rearcross U-14’s suffered Cup Final heartbreak last Saturday in Templemore when the game was taken to extra time after the Slieve Felim side led 3-2 in the sixth minute of injury time, but it wasn’t to be on the day for a gallant Rearcross outfit who played their hearts out from start to finish and the tears which flowed at the end of the game showed how much the loss meant to this up-and-coming group of Players and indeed their Parents, the future augers well based on this thrilling performance apart from the disappointing finish to the encounter. Rearcross made the better start and the first opening came after two minutes when Oran Connors set Stephen Rochford through who wasn’t far away and then Patrick Dawson skimmed the cross bar two minutes later. Rearcross hit the front on the five minute mark when Patrick Dawson’s delightful chip from outside the box went all the way to the back of the net. The lead was short-lived however as Riann McLoughlin broke on the right and cross to DJ McLoughlin who headed home from close range a minute later. Shinrone were on top as Riann McLoughlin drilled wide seconds later, and then Darragh McLoughlin blazed just wide on 10 minutes. Rearcross were under the cosh and Cathal Ryan did well to save at the expense of a corner kick. Rearcross picked it up after this and a counter attack saw Stephen Rochford drive across the face of the goal from the right. Patrick Dawson continued to be a threat for the Rea Boys and was on target again on 14 minutes, however James Calvert was positioned to save. Rearcross were let off the hook again minutes later as Shinrone’s shooting was wayward at that stage. Stephen Rochford had the ball in the net on seventeen minutes but play was called back for offside. Rearcross grew in stature as the half wore on and Brian Nolan linked up with Stephen Rochford with the resulting shot not far away. Rearcross custodian Cathal Kennedy was in the action with an instinctive save after deflecting on to the upright from a tight angle. The Niall Ryan Joinery sponsored side were on top at this stage as Stephen Rochford chased down the ball winning a corner kick in the process, Oran Connors wasn’t far away with a headed effort from the resultant delivery. Rearcross restored their advantage with a cracking effort from Patrick Dawson from all of 40 yards on 27 minutes which lodged in the side netting. Sean Malone was to the fore with a double challenge on 32 minutes. Shinrone pressed again towards the end of the half but it remained 2-1 to Rearcross at the midway stage. The Joey Nolan / Emmet Steed managed side made a bright start again to the second half, an Oran Connors free kick from the edge of the box was touched on to the woodwork as Patrick Dawson was luckless not to finish the follow through. The Offaly team counter attacked as Nathan Lynch broke through the centre to peg it back level. Shinrone looked to have extended their lead on 53 minutes, however the effort was disallowed for offside. Good play from Brian Nolan set Oran Connor’s through, however the offside flag was up and then Stephen Rochford made space on the left flank and was unlucky to see his low effort drag inches wide of the far post. Rearcross took the lead for the third time on 59 minutes when Brian Nolan floated the ball home from just inside the eighteen yard box with a fine finish. Patrick Dawson then came close to extending it to 4-2 but the chance was blocked out. Rearcross were motoring at this stage and a Paul Nolan challenge in the middle of the field quelled a promising attack, Cathal Kennedy saved in the 65th minute and then Brian Nolan’s header from an Oran Connors cross was saved on the line. Shinrone piled on the pressure after this as Cathal Kennedy did well to punch clear under pressure and then a Shinrone free kick wasn’t far over with fifteen minutes to play. Shinrone’s Riann McLoughlin was through on the right, but the ball nestled in the side netting. It was helter skelter in the remaining minutes with chances at both ends, Rearcross keeper Cathal Kennedy was in excellent form in those final stages turning the ball away at the expense of a corner kick late on. It looked as if the First Division League winners had done enough to record what would have been a memorable win, however a Shinrone corner kick was finished to the net by DJ McLoughlin before the final whistle sounded in the seventh minute of injury time. Rearcross were justifiably deflated at this stage but full credit to the character of the players as they took the game to Shinrone again in extra time. Shinrone edged ahead two minutes in when Simon Hayes scored after a break on the right. Cathal Kennedy advanced of his line to save seconds later. Stephen Rochford levelled it up at four all four minutes later following a fine solo run, however Shinrone took a 5-4 lead to the extra time midway break when Nathan Lynch scored from a corner kick. Aidan Bryan came close at the start of the second period and then an Oran Connors shot dipped over the crossbar. Cathal Kennedy was in the thick of the action again with some fine goalkeeping and then Aidan Bryan passed to Patrick Dawson but the keeper closed down the shot to leave Shinrone winners at the end of a pulsating affair when it looked as if Rearcross were already over the line at the end of normal time, but c'est la vie and such can be the cruelness of sport in these instances. Rearcross Players and Management can certainly hold their heads high after a scintillating performance which deserved victory on the day but will carry this experience to achieve further success in the future. Thanks again to Joey, Emmet and all the Players for a memorable 2015/2016 campaign.

Rearcross U-14's: Cathal Kennedy, Cian O’Toole, Sean Malone, Cathal Ryan, Cillian Kennedy, Brian Nolan, Paul Nolan, Oran Connors, Dylan Ryan, Patrick Dawson, Stephen Rochford, Aidan Bryan, Eoin Sheldon, Colm Lenihan, Andy Kinnane

Shinrone: James Calvert, Johnny Mooney, Alex Chadwick. Adam Landy, Paul Cleary, Simon Hayes, Darragh Landy, Darragh McLoughlin, Riann McLoughlin, DJ McLoughlin, Nathan Lynch, Niall Calvert, Sean McLeish, Owen Egan
 
Referee: Jim McGrath
Assistant Referees: David Butler, Ger Roche

Rearcross U-14's
NTSFL U-14 Cup Runners Up - 2015 / 2016

Shinrone
NTSFL U-14 Cup Winners - 2015 / 2016