Rearcross U-14’s lose out to a strong Clodiagh Rangers team.

Rearcross U-14’s played host to Clodiagh Rangers in this floodlit encounter on Monday evening. The visitors made the early running with Leon Wallace called in to action early on with a fine save to deny Luke Harrington, however the Drombane side pressed again and hit the front when Oisin Cooke scored a well taken goal. Rearcross were denied an equaliser when Conor Nolan’s strike was just wide following good work by Cathal Moloney. Clodiagh Rangers keeper Tadhg Corcoran made a telling save to thwart Conor Nolan while the follow up from Darragh Reynolds flew just over the crossbar and then another effort from Conor Nolan whizzed inches outside the post. Leon Wallace had a fine outing between the sticks against the odds and saved from a free kick with his long-range clearance finding Conor Nolan who raced through to level the match with a well taken goal. The visiting side restored their advantage when Luke Harrington scored with a well taken effort from the edge of the box.
Rearcross kept battling and Ryan Quigley was unlucky after being played through, but the effort was deflected away from the target at the expense of a corner kick. It was proving to be a luckless outing for Rearcross when Conor Nolan’s shot drifted just wide after an attempted chip from an advancing Tadgh Corcoran. Clodiagh Rangers took a 3-1 lead to the break when Oscar Corbett got on the scoresheet.
Rearcross made a lively start to the second half and Adam Butler was unlucky not to pull a goal back following a Conor Nolan assist. Leon Wallace was in the action again with a brilliant save to deny the away team. Conor Nolan fired just wide after being played in by Adam Butler. Rearcross pegged it back to the minimum when a long clearance by Darragh Reynolds found Conor Nolan who unleashed an effort which hit the cross bar and Zofia Kwiecinska was quickest to react with a smart finish from close range. The visitor’s reaction was swift when Oscar Corbett added to his tally and Clodiagh Rangers went on to dictate the remainder of the game with Oscar Corbett scoring two more while Jim Ryan and Johnny Whelan also got amongst the scorers. The scoreline wasn’t a fair reflection on the game from a Rearcross perspective, but well done to all Rearcross players for never giving up right through to the final whistle.

Rearcross U-14’s: Leon Wallace, Conor McInerney, Ciaran McLoughlin, Andrew Hanly, Paudie Clifford, Darragh Reynolds, Sean Guidera, Cathal Hickey, Conor Nolan, Cathal Maloney, Ryan Quigley
Subs: Zofia Kwiecinska, Adam Butler, Patrick Hanly

Clodiagh Rangers: T Corcoran, C Ryan, P Kennedy, J Whelan, J Mockler, J Ryan, P Brett, O Cooke, L Harrington, O Corbett, N Hackett
Subs: M Ryan, P Barquin, D Downey

Referee: Colin O’Gorman

Report by Shane Reynolds