Rearcross Youths grind out 2-2 draw in Cloughjordan

Rearcross Youths trekked to Cloughjordan for this league fixture and came away with a share of the spoils after a tough encounter. The visiting side will rue not being further ahead at the midway stage after long spells of dominance in the opening half. The first incision came three minutes in when Max Carroll’s effort was on the mark however the Cloughjordan keeper reacted superbly to push the ball away. Rearcross opened their account on 9 minutes when good build up play involving Sean Griffin and Larry Collins released James Butler on the right who made no mistake with the deftest of finishes. The hosts won successive corners but the Rearcross defence held firm. Larry Collins fired on target on the 15-minute mark but John Naughnane, in the Clough goal was well positioned to block and Larry Collins came close again seconds later with a low effort that flew across the face of the goal. The Rearcross Quarries sponsored outfit continued to press and doubled their tally in the 23rd minute when Padraig Griffin let fly with a splendid strike that whizzed to the top corner of the net. The woodwork denied the visitors two minutes later when Padraig Griffin’s pile driver thumped off the cross bar. Cloughjordan custodian John Naughnane had a fine outing and kept his side in the game with a point blank save from Larry Collins with fourteen minutes to go in the half. Aaron Quinlan got in on the action moments later with a good effort that wasn’t far away. Clough started to come in to the game towards the end of the half as Brian Hammersley had to race of his line to avert the danger, however the margin was reduced to the minimum a minute before half time when D O’Meara was given too much space on the right before pinging a pin point delivery across the box to S O’Brien, who rammed the ball to the back of the net in what was a fine finish.
Rearcross were lethargic for long spells in the second half not helped by difficult underfoot conditions, nevertheless Rea had made a positive enough start winning three successive corners on the trot before the latter was palmed away from under the bar by the Cloughjordan shot stopper. A Larry Collins free kick was held by John Naughnane on 54 minutes and then Max Carroll prodded just right of the upright minutes later. It was all square in the 63rd minute after Michael Henelly’s long range free kick crept under the crossbar to leave the sides tied on two apiece. Rearcross breathed a sigh of relief five minutes later when a lob from distance clipped the top of the crossbar. Rearcross picked it up towards the end of the game and Sean Griffin was robbed with a terrific save from John Naughnane at the expense of a corner kick. It wasn’t to be for the Slieve Felim side on this occasion as a Larry Collins looping effort dropped just wide and then James Butler’s strike was gathered by a back peddling keeper on the 90-minute mark. The Rearcross defensive quartet of Patrick Kennedy, Callum Wallace, Luke Carroll and Liam Crump turned in strong performances. A tough away fixture for Rearcross and a share of the spoils was a commendable outcome on the day.

Cloughjordan FC: J Naughnane, J Quinlisk, F Ahearne Woods, D Quinn, M. Henelly, A Ryan, D Delaney, M Quinlisk, S O’Brien, M Byrne Ryan, D O’Meara
Subs: C Kennedy, C Kennedy, L Carroll, C Tanner, S Kennedy

Rearcross Youths: Brian Hammersley, Patrick Kennedy, Liam Crump, Calum Wallace, Luke Carroll, Max Carroll, Padraig Griffin, Sean Griffin, Aaron Quinlan, James Butler, Larry Collins
Sub: Timmy Costello, Patrick Ryan, Jack Brett, Mel Sheridan

Referee: John Hayes