Rearcross U-15’s got back to winning ways with a comprehensive win over Nenagh AFC ‘B’ in this floodlit league game played in Rearcross on Friday evening. The opening exchanges were evenly contested as the visitors hit the front after three minutes when Leon Kennedy’s well struck free kick finished high in the net. Nenagh remained on the front foot and forced Cathal Kennedy to make a clean catch under pressure minutes later. Rearcross started to work their way back in to the game as Oran Connors pulled a good save out of the visiting custodian at the expense of a corner kick on six minutes. The hosts were back on par seconds later when Patrick Dawson’s well struck effort from out near the corner flag squirmed inside the near post. Nenagh central defender Jamie Kennedy had a fine outing throughout and denied Stephen Rochford with a well-timed tackle. It was two nil to the Rea boys on fourteen minutes when Stephen Rochford headed home from a corner kick. Rearcross continued to apply the pressure and stretched their lead to 3-1 with a cracking long range free kick from Stephen Rochford which clipped the bottom of the cross bar before nestling in the net ten minutes before the half time whistle. Aidan Bryan had the ball in the net on the half hour mark but played was called back for an offside infringement. Nenagh nearly brought it back to the minimum just before the break but Cathal Kennedy did well to gather on the second attempt. Rearcross enjoyed the better of the exchanges in the second period and signalled intent early on with a Cian O’Toole effort which wasn’t far away. Stephen Rochford rounded off his hat-trick nine minutes in to the second half with a well-directed effort which finished just inside the upright. Oran Connors gave Rearcross a 5-1 advantage after leaping highest to head between the posts from a Patrick Dawson delivery. Rearcross withdrew Stephen Rochford and Paul Nolan at this stage. The Niall Ryan Joinery sponsored side had to remain alert as Nenagh AFC battled gallantly to the end with Roberto Ipsalat coming close to pulling one back. Danny Poyzer and Cathal Kennedy were to the fore in the remaining minutes. The Rea boys copper fastened the win with two minutes to play after good play by Oran Connors out on the left saw the ball break to Patrick Dawson who rammed home from outside the eighteen yard box. Our acknowledgement and thanks to Nenagh AFC for accommodating the Friday night game. Best of luck to Paul Nolan, Stephen Rochford and Emily / Sean Treacy’s in the U16B County Final on Saturday.

Rearcross FC U-15’s: Cathal Kennedy, Eoin Sheldon, Brian Nolan, Danny Poyzer, Cillian Kennedy, Cian O’Toole, Paul Nolan, Oran Connors, Stephen Rochford, Patrick Dawson, Aidan Bryan, Colm Lenihan, Ryan Moser, Andy Kinnane  

Nenagh AFC ‘B’: Hugo O’hAnluain, Tom Kennedy, Jamie Kelly, Jamie Kennedy, Dermot McTiernan, Dylan Morrison, Padraig Fury, Leon Kennedy, Roberto Ipsalat, Cian Fitzpatrick, Rory Grace, Jake Murphy, Siene Morris  

Referee: David McCarthy