Thrilling win for Rearcross U-16 Boys

Rearcross were away to Arra Rovers on Saturday in this league fixture played at the Newtown venue. Rearcross had their first effort on goal from a Jonathan Dawson free kick which went over the bar. Leo Armstrong was quick off his line to cut off an Arra attack moments later, before rolling the ball out to Liam O' Dwyer who advanced on the left flank and then crossed to James Costello as the effort finished in the side netting. The Portroe side were piling on the pressure as Ciaran McLoughlin made a telling tackle to break up a threatening attack. Rearcross seemed to have weathered the storm, however Arra Rovers scored against the run of play when a Shane O’Donoghue effort was saved by Rearcross keeper Leo Armstrong, however Andrew Horan followed through to knock the ball home.
The Rea boys rallied after this setback and the introduction of Michéal Collins paid dividends after heading a Jonathan Dawson free kick to the Arra net to leave it all square at the half time whistle.
Chances and goals were aplenty in a very exciting second half performance by both teams. Rearcross gained the lead through Conor Nolan who was played in by Patrick Carr, but Arra responded and drew level through Oscar O’Halloran. Arra Rovers kept the pressure on and went ahead for the second time through Darra Quinn to leave it at 3-2. It was all square on 3 goals apiece when Conor Nolan netted for Rea after being set up by James Costello. Rearcross were luckless not to convert from the spot minutes later but this only strengthened their resolve when the home team got back in front with an Andrew Horan goal and it looked as if it might be Arra’s day, but the Slieve Felim visitors had other ideas when Conor Nolan pegged it back level with a fine finish and then Conor Nolan scored a superb winner in the dying moments to give Rearcross a thrilling 5-4 win.

Arra Rovers: T Seymour, D Quinn, S Purcell, M Hoare (Capt), L Dharam, N McElroy, S O’Donoghue, O O’Halloran, M Grey, E Ray, K McKenna
Subs: A Horan, B Stanley, D Dillon, J Gleeson, E Hogan

Rearcross U-16 Boys: Leo Armstrong, Jack Hickey, Stephen Ryan, Ciaran McLoughlin, Conor McInerney, James Costello (Capt), Paudie Clifford, Patrick Carr, Jonathan Dawson, Conor Nolan, Liam O’Dwyer
Subs: Michéal Collins, Darragh Reynolds, Sean Guidera, Leon Wallace

Referee: Robert Mandrilla

Report by Shane Reynolds