Hard earned win for Rearcross U-16 Boys in Ballinree

Rearcross U-16 Boys travelled to Ballymackey on Saturday for their last league match of this campaign. Both sides had early chances with Sam Hackett and Colm Hickey having shots on goal, however Jack Nolan was the closest to scoring when his effort produced a fine save out of Tadgh Murphy in the home side goals. Ballymackey’s Paddy Daly saw an effort go wide before the hosts took the lead when a dangerous cross from the left was backheeled to the net by Karl Ryan and then Mark Hoare was next to have an effort on goals. Ballymackey were enjoying a good spell at this stage and went 2 up after poor defending allowed Ethan Connolly to finish to the net. Rearcross responded straight from the kick off when a powerful run down the right flank by Jack Nolan saw his cross met by an on-rushing Liam Ryan who made no mistake with a smart finish. Rearcross keeper Darragh Reynolds was in the action to make a fine save to deny Mark Hoare just before half time.
Rearcross came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half and produced 3 strikes on target in quick succession with Sam Hackett and Jack Nolan in the thick of the action. Rearcross drew level when Seanie Quinlan won the ball from a Ballymackey kick out, his pass released Sam Hackett who ran through to rattle the net to leave it all square at 2 apiece. Colm Hickey and Conor Carr were really dominating midfield at this stage as Rearcross took the lead for the first time when Sam Hackett unleashed a powerful effort from distance to make it 3-2 to Rea. The visitors were on the front foot as Sam Hackett was unlucky not to complete his hat-trick from close range. Good defending by Matthew Ryan saw his pass set up Jack Nolan who fired in to the side netting. Tadhg Murphy in the Ballymackey goals then denied Jack Nolan with a fine save. It was end to end stuff as Darragh Reynolds kept Rearcross in the lead with a brilliant save from Emmet O'Dwyer while Oisín Reynolds and Sam Hackett saw efforts saved by the Ballymackey custodian. Sam Hackett finally got his hat-trick after receiving the pass from Colm O’Meara before darting through with a powerful run to finish with aplomb which was just reward for all his hard work up front. Ballymackey to their credit kept fighting and Emmet O'Dwyer brought it back to 4-3 with a well taken goal. Jack Nolan restored the Rea advantage with a fine strike to leave the Slieve Felim outfit with a 5-3 win at the final whistle.

Ballymackey FC: T Murphy, D Wyles, N Ryan, D Kelly, E Ryan, P Daly (Capt), K Ryan, A Whyte, E Connolly, M Hoare, E O’Dwyer

Rearcross U-16 Boys: Darragh Reynolds, Colm O’Meara, Oisín Reynolds, Paraic Carr, Seanie Quinlan, Colm Hickey (Capt), Liam Brett, Conor Carr, Jack Nolan, Sam Hackett, Liam Ryan
Subs: Conor Nolan, Ronan Hammersley, Matthew Ryan, Stephen Ryan

Referee: TP Sullivan

Report by Shane Reynolds