Rearcross U-16's clinch League title with game to spare

Rearcross U-16 Boys travelled to Ardcroney on Saturday for what was a league final in all but name. Both teams were neck and neck all season with Ardcroney’s only defeat being to Rearcross earlier in the campaign. The visiting side knew that a win would guarantee league success. Rearcross started the brighter and Ronan Hayes made a brilliant save to deny Conor Nolan after good build up play by captain James Costello and Matthew Ryan. Moments later Liam O'Dwyer was luckless not to keep his effort down from a Jack Hickey cross out on the right. Patrick Carr was next up but the effort whizzed past the Ardcroney post. The visitors were applying all the pressure as a Darragh Reynolds effort was pushed out for a corner by the Ardcroney keeper and then another Darragh Reynolds strike was saved after being played through by Liam O’Dwyer. Conor McInerney gave an excellent account of himself throughout and set up Conor Nolan, and it took a last grasp tackle by Harry Gannon to deny the Rea marksman. Darragh Reynolds was a constant threat and was denied again by the Ardcroney shot stopper. The Slieve Felim side were exerting all the pressure and eventually took the lead just before the half time whistle when Darragh Reynold’s shot thumped off the crossbar before the ball fell to Conor Nolan as the effort was cleared off the line and in to path of Ciaran McLoughlin who chipped the ball in to the net.
Rearcross kept the pressure on after the 2nd half resumption as Conor Nolan made it 2-0 following a through ball from Matthew Ryan. Ardcroney upped the ante and responded almost immediately when a free kick from out on the right was not dealt with by the Rearcross rearguard as Mark Gaynor pounced from close range. The Rea boys had to dig deep as James Costello led from the front with a long-range effort that wasn’t far away. Darragh Reynolds was unlucky not to get his shot away after another last-gasp tackle by Harry Gannon. A foul on Jack Hickey on the left flank led to Rearcross netting a third goal when a dangerous free kick delivery from Michéal Collins was flicked on by Stephen Ryan, before Matthew Ryan went on a mazy solo run past three Ardcroney defenders and then unleashing past a luckless Ronan Hayes in the Ardcroney goals. The hosts to their credit didn’t throw in the towel and brought it back to the minimum when Jack O’Meara hit the target following a powerful run. Rearcross keeper Leo Armstrong had little to do in this game as such, but proved his worth when needed with 2 quickfire saves. Rearcross regained control of the match thereafter and came close to extending their lead with efforts from Darragh Reynolds, Conor Nolan and Matthew Ryan. The full-time whistle sounded to great applause and cheers from the Rearcross players and management as the League title was secured in splendid style with a game to spare.

Ardcroney FC: B Hayes, B McLoughney, C Last, R McLoughey, H Gannon (Capt), C Gaynor, J Ryan, O O’Mahony, M Gaynor, R Cleary, D O’Brien
Subs: M Cleary, J O’Meara, A Fahey, S O’Meara, T Teefey, J Last, C McLoughney

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

Referee: Sabelo Mavuso

Report by Shane Reynolds