Maximum points for Rearcross U-16 Boys in Killaloe

Rearcross U-16 Boys travelled to Clarisford Park to take on Lough Derg 'B' in this league fixture on Thursday evening and claim maximum points on a 2 nil scoreline. The visitors made a positive start which saw good interlink play between Patrick Carr and Liam O’Dwyer setting up Jonathan Dawson who was unlucky not open his account. Conor Nolan tracked back minutes later to win the ball and his mazy run down the left flank saw the balled crossed to Jonathan Dawson, but the effort lifted just over the target. Rearcross remained on the front foot as Patrick Carr played a one-two with Liam O’Dwyer which released Conor Nolan but Lough Derg keep Daniel Kelly was fast off his line to deny the opportunity. The visitors were well on top and an intricate passing move started by Michéal Collins involving Jack Hickey, Patrick Carr and James Costello played in Conor Nolan as the dangerous cross only needed a touch in the Lough Derg box. Lough Derg forays in to Rearcross territory were limited, however Leo Armstrong got down smartly to save from Daniel Houlihan. A Jonathan Dawson corner kick caused mayhem in the 6-yard box as Liam O’Dwyer’s effort was blocked down as the ball fell to Stephen Ryan but the shot was stopped on the line before Conor Nolan’s strike was cleared when it looked as if Rea had taken the lead against a resilient Lough Derg rearguard. It was proving to be a tough opening half for Rea when James Costello’s back heel set Conor Nolan away, as Liam O’Dwyer wasn’t far away at the back post to leave it scoreless at the break.
Rearcross piled on the pressure early in the second half with Jonathan Dawson coming close. Michéal Collins played a ball over the top to Darragh Reynolds who found Jonathan Dawson but the effort was just outside the right-hand post. Rearcross kept pressing as Conor Nolan capitalized on a stray kick-out but the Lough Derg keep made a fantastic save to deny Rea the lead. Lough Derg counter-attacked as Leo Armstrong was call in to action to deny a Daniel Houlihan effort and then a long-range free kick from Luka McGrath flow over the bar. It was end to end at this stage as Daniel Kellys finger tips denied Jonathan Dawson, but Darragh Reynolds kept the ball alive before passing to Conor Nolan who was luckless not to direct on goals. A threatening free kick from Jonathan Dawson saw the ball played in to the path of Rearcross captain James Costello who led the way after unleashing a pile driver to the back of the net. Rearcross had victory in sight and nearly got a second through Jonathan Dawson but the Lough Derg keeper came to the rescue. Lough Derg were on the backfoot as Mark Lynch denied Darragh Reynolds with a last grasp tackle, but it was game, set and match in the dying moments when Conor Nolan rattled the net to seal the 3 points for the Slieve Felim outfit.

Lough Derg ‘B’: D Kelly, P Mooney, D O’Malley, M Lynch, J Nelson, L McKeogh, A Mills, D Houlihan, J Reil, L Green (Capt), E Pauliunas
Subs: K Murphy, C Kaczorek, W Goode, R Culhane, S Rowan

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

Referee: Robert Mandrilla

Report by Shane Reynolds