Rearcross U-14’s bow out of Shield by odd goal in five

Rearcross U-14 Boys were away to Ballymackey last Wednesday in the Open Cup. The visiting side made a bright start and had the first effort on goal with a Jack Nolan strike in the 5th minute and then Darragh Reynolds was quick to react to a through ball to stem a Ballymackey attack. Rea kept pressing as Jack Nolan saw another effort hit the side netting after good play by Jonathan Dawson. Rearcross took the lead in the 15th minute when a Oisin Reynolds pass put Jack Nolan away who made no mistake with a fine finish. Two more efforts by Jack Nolan went wide before a Jonathan Dawson smartly executed lob over the on-rushing Ballymackey custodian sailed just over the crossbar. Ballymackey did have efforts on goal late on in the half and strikes from Paddy Daly and Emmet Dayel had the Rearcross rearguard on their toes. Ballymackey looked dangerous from set plays and a corner kick into the Rearcross box saw Darragh Reynolds make too fine saves in quick succession. The Rearcross defence was dominant for the remainder of the half as the Ballymackey forwards were kept at bay. A Jack Nolan effort was just wide on the stroke of half time after brilliant play by Liam Brett to leave the Rea boys with a one nil advantage at half time.
The second half saw Jack Nolan and Jonathan Dawson both have efforts on goal which were just wide of the mark. Ballymackey struck against the run of play when a cross delivered from the left was pounced upon by Emmet Dayel to bring the sides level. This leveller handed the initiative to a Ballymackey side plying their trade in a higher division and the hosts struck again from a brilliant solo run by Derek Hickey who evaded three Rearcross players before dispatching high in to the net. Rearcross showed why they won their league this season and were level minutes later after a Jack Nolan solo run saw his shot saved by the Ballymackey keeper only to be put bravely into the back of the net by Conor Nolan to tie it up at 2-2. A high-tension finish saw Jonathan Dawson hit the post with a well struck shot. Ballymackey scored at the death when a cross was delivered into the box and finished at the back post despite the best efforts of Darragh Reynolds. Rearcross had no choice but to shoot direct from the tip off as time was up, Jack Nolan’s effort from the halfway line hit the crossbar and bounced down before being collected by the Ballymackey keeper. Calls from the Rearcross camp that the ball was over the line went unheard as the full-time whistle was sounded seconds later to leave Ballymackey 3-2 winners and a place in the final against Moneygall.
Thanks to Matt & Marie Carr (SportsPhysio) for very kindly sponsoring a meal at Supermacs for a Rearcross team that performed gallantly throughout the season and earned just reward with a coveted League title, well done again to all.

Ballymackey: Ben Wallace, Evan Ryan, Dan Daly, Rylan Caplis, Darragh Kelly, Derek Hickey, Noah Ryan, Sam Fitzgerald, Emmet Dayel, Paddy Daly, Adam Clifford, Paul Williams

Rearcross U-14’s: Darragh Reynolds, Sean Quinlan, Oisin Reynolds, Pauric Carr, Jack Hickey, Colm Hickey, Conor Carr, Conor Nolan, Jonathan Dawson, Jack Nolan, Liam Brett,
Subs: Ciaran McLoughlin, Ronan Hammersley,