Gallant win for Rearcross U-14's over Arra Rovers

Rearcross resumed their league campaign after the winter break with a home fixture against Arra Rovers at Rearcross FC Grounds and emerged with a merited 4-2 victory. The hosts made a bright start and were a goal to the good inside the opening minutes when the ball was won in midfield by Conor Nolan who linked up with Ciaran McLoughlin before a brilliant lay off by Cathal Moloney set Darragh Reynolds away to finish between the posts. The Portroe outfit counter attacked from the kick-off and a well worked effort from Shane O’Donoghue was just wide of the mark. Darragh Reynolds nearly netted a second for Rea after breaking on the right flank before his dangerous delivery clipped the crossbar. It was end to end at this stage as Conor McInerney had to be sharp to stop an Arra attack with some great defending with Paudie Clifford and goalkeeper Leon Wallace to the fore. The Slieve Felim team enjoyed a period of dominance moving the ball with ease and a move involving Ciaran McLoughlin, Cathal Hickey and Sean Guidera down the left wing saw the latter play in Cathal Moloney, but the Arra shot-stopper reacted well to avert the danger. Rearcross made it 2 nil when tenacious tackling in the middle of the park from Ciaran McLoughlin and Conor McInerney saw Patrick Hanly take the pass before sending the ball over the top to Darragh Reynolds who raced past the Arra defence to dispatch to the back of the net. The home team were very much on the front foot at this stage as Darragh Reynolds notched his third of the afternoon with a left footed drive thanks to a Cathal Moloney assist. It was game, set and match more or less just before half time when Darragh Reynolds crashed home his fourth of the day following a powerful solo run.
The second half was a more evenly contested affair as Darragh Reynolds created space for Ciaran McLoughlin but the Arra defence closed in to thwart the danger and then Zofia Kwiecinska broke through but again the Arra rearguard quelled the attack. Conor Nolan now playing in a defensive role played a great ball over the top to Zofia Kwiecinska, who was luckless to see the shot pull left of the post and then moments later Zofia Kwiecinska pulled a good save out of the Arra keeper. Aoibheann Devitt showed great footwork on the left flank to evade two Arra defenders before picking out Darragh Reynolds whose effort from the edge of the box hit the post. Arra Rovers to their credit didn’t give up and bagged 2 consolation goals through Oisin O'Halloran late on, but the Rea victory was never in doubt at that stage.

Rearcross U-14’s Panel: Leon Wallace, Conor McInerney, Darragh Reynolds, Zofia Kwiecinska, Paudie Clifford, Ciaran McLoughlin, Sean Guidera, Conor Nolan, Patrick Hanly, Cathal Hickey, Cathal Maloney (Capt), Aoibheann Devitt

Arra Rovers Panel: T Ryan, E Ryan, B Stanley (Capt), N McElroy, M Slattery, C Hoare, D Dillon, E Hogan, S O’Donoghue, D O’Halloran, A Philpott, T Cahalan, D Hanrahan, O O’Halloran, C McAuliffe, J Comerford

Referee: Colin O’Gorman

Report by Shane Reynolds