Rearcross U-16 Boys lose out in Clarisford Park

Rearcross U-16 Boys trekked to Killaloe to play Lough Derg ‘B’ last Saturday in this league fixture at Clarisford Park. Rearcross enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges and a move down the left saw James Costello link up with Jack Nolan who fired on target to no avail. The visitors kept the pressure on and took the lead after forcing a free kick which saw Oisin Reynolds roll the ball on to the path of Jonathan Dawson who finished to the net. Rearcross displayed some brilliant tackling and defending in the opening half with Paraic Carr very much to the fore while Colm O’Meara and Liam Brett were dictating affairs on the right with great link up play. Jonathan Dawson made it 2-0 just before half time after putting pressure on the Lough Derg defence to regain the ball before unleashing a powerful shot past the Lough Derg custodian.
The Ballina / Killaloe side were a different proposition in the second half and banged in a trio of goals in quick succession, the first coming from Christopher O'Baoill after Rea failed to clear their lines. An in-form Christopher O'Baoill bagged his second with an effort that went past Darragh Reynolds. The Slieve Felim side nearly took the lead again when a brilliant move down the right saw Colm O’Meara and Liam Brett combine to release Jack Nolan who crossed to Jonathan Dawson at the back post but Darragh Perry pulled off an astonishing save to deny the Rea boys. Rearcross then conceded a penalty which was converted by Christopher O'Baoill to round off his hat-trick. Lough Derg made it 4-2 when a thunderous strike from way out by Sandor Szokodi nestled in the top right-hand corner of the net. Rearcross steadied the ship after this and finished the game strongly coming close with a brace of efforts from Jonathan Dawson, the latter hitting the crossbar. Jack Nolan then came close when his strike hit the side netting. The Rea pressure paid off when Oisin Reynolds hit the target to leave the minimum between the sides. Rearcross did all the pressing in the final minutes but it wasn’t to be on this occasion as Ciaran McLoughlin’s effort was barely over the bar. Another surge in to the box by Jack Nolan saw his shot go just wide and then the final play saw Oisin Reynolds connect with Jonathan Dawson’s cross but the ball flew over to leave Lough Derg with a narrow win. Rearcross will regroup for their next outing.

Lough Derg ‘B’: D Perry, E Szokodi (Capt), C Hass, J O’Malley, C Williams, C O’Baoill, K Santan Benavidez, H Jones, L Hamilton, J Guerin, R Benchelef Daw
Subs: D Morgan, T Hogan, B Pederson, B Coll

Rearcross U-16 Boys: Darragh Reynolds, Colm O'Meara, Oisin Reynolds(Capt), Paraic Carr, James Costello, Conor Carr, Colm Hickey, Liam Brett, Jack Nolan, Jonathan Dawson, Conor Nolan
Sub: Ciaran McLoughlin

Referee: Cathal Mullane Reamon

Report by Shane Reynolds