Share of spoils for Rearcross ‘B’ in Ardcroney

Rearcross ‘B’ travelled to Ardcroney for their first game back after the Christmas break with the hopes of getting the new year off to a good start. The first half was very end to end with both sides creating their share of chances. However, it was Rearcross who struck first when Mikey Feehan found the net from inside the box after the ball fell perfectly for him on the stroke of half time. The away side went in 1-0 ahead at the break after a positive first half performance.
The second half was a completely different affair as both sides were in fine scoring form. Ardcroney equalised 5 minutes into the half with Kevin Boyle running through the Rearcross defence to slot the ball home. This was a big wake up call for Rea and they responded almost instantly when a Mikey Feehan shot was rebounded to Oisín Kelly who struck the ball perfectly into the bottom corner from a tight angle. Ardcroney then went on to strike again as a cross from their right winger was met on the edge of the six-yard box by Kevin Boyle who finished from close range to secure his brace. Rea went ahead once again when Mikey Feehan scored into an open net to make it 3-2 to the visitors. It certainly wasn’t over yet as an Ardcroney midfielder played a very precise ball in behind the Rearcross defence which put Chris Fogarty through one on one with Brian Hammersley and he finished calmly into the bottom corner. Rea kept on pushing with Donnacha O’Brien and Kieran Devitt working tirelessly in midfield to help out at either end of the pitch. In the 83rd minute substitute Darragh Carr put Rearcross ahead once more to score his first junior goal for the club. Rea done everything in their power not to let Ardcroney equalise again but unfortunately for the away side Ardcroney weren’t finished yet as a free kick was swung into the box and Dave Slattery rose highest to head an equaliser in the last minute of injury time.
A bitterly disappointing 2 points dropped for Rearcross ‘B’, but credit must go to Ardcroney ‘B’ who fought hard until the final whistle to get something from the game. Best on the day for Rearcross would have to be Donnacha O’Brien who covered some amount of ground in the middle of the field.

Ardcroney ‘B’: A Austin, E Courtney, P Gallagher, M Mikalajunas, P Hayes (Capt), K Boyle, O O’Meara, C Fogarty, L Jones, R Hughes
Subs: A McGrath, D Morrissey, C Hayes, J Gallagher, D Galera, S Kennedy

Rearcross ‘B’: Brian Hammersley, Colm Nolan, Gavin Denihan, William Mackey (Capt), Eamonn Wade, Kieran Devitt, Donnacha O’Brien, Colm Carey, Oisin Kelly, Patrick Carey, Michael Feehan
Subs: Darragh Carr, Liam Kelly, Paul Carey, Patrick Ryan

Referee: Bobby O’Connor

Report by Brian Hammersley