Narrow defeat in Cup for Rearcross U-15 Boys

Rearcross U-15 Boys travelled to Ballymackey for this first round tie of the open Cup and bowed out by the narrowest of margins. Chances were limited in the opening half hour with both sets of defences and midfielders dictating the pace, however the hosts broke the deadlock when Paul Williams was given too much space out on the left wing before firing a low cross in to the box where Daithi Kennedy’s back-heel deceived Rearcross keeper Darragh Reynolds. The Slieve Felim side rallied after this setback and nearly levelled before half time when Conor Nolan’s effort from far out was just wide.
Rearcross started the second half with real purpose and some telling tackles by Michéal Collins and Stephen Ryan saw the latter play a brilliant ball through to Conor Nolan whose powerful effort hit the top of the upright. It was end to end as Darragh Reynolds made a telling save to deny Liam Kennedy. Ballymackey custodian Tadhg Murphy was called in to action to deny Conor Nolan after a clinical pass from Cathal Hickey. It was proving to be a difficult outing for Rea when Stephen Ryan’s long-range effort wasn’t far over the crossbar. Stephen Ryan then turned provider as Conor Nolan fired on target but the woodwork denied Rea for a second time. Darragh Reynolds now playing in midfield played a brilliant ball to split the Ballymackey defence before Conor Nolan’s effort had the keeper beaten only to roll agonisingly wide of the post to cap off a luckless outing for the visitors.

Ballymackey FC: T Murphy, K Gilmartin, D Daly, C Ryan, J Hanrahan, C O’Brien (Capt), M Bergin, E Grace, D Kennedy, P Williams
Subs: L Kennedy, R Kennedy, L Flannery, J Ryan

Rearcross U-15 Boys: Darragh Reynolds, Jack Hickey, James Costello, Stephen Ryan, Matthew Ryan, Cathal McInerney, Michéal Collins, Patrick Carr (Capt), Conor Nolan, Cathal Hickey, Liam O’Dwyer
Subs: Andrew Hanly, Leon Wallace

Referee: Bobby O’Connor

Report by Shane Reynolds