Rearcross U-15 Boys lose out in Puckane

Rearcross U-15’s travelled to Knigh Utd on Saturday for the league deciding game. A tight opening 10mins saw both sides having half chances but it was Rearcross who came close to scoring when a Jack Nolan free kick whizzed pass the far-left hand side post of the Knigh goals. Darragh Reynolds in the Rearcross goals made a brilliant save from Ciaran Fitzgearld to keep the sides level. Knigh Utd did score first when a corner kick wasn't cleared by the Rearcross rearguard and Ciaran Fitzgerald pounced on to the loose ball to give Knigh a one nil lead. Rearcross's answer was swift, James Costello sent Jonathan Dawson away on the wing and he was upended just outside the box. Jack Nolan stepped up to take the free and his effort flew straight into the Knigh net. It was all Rearcross for the next 10mins and Knigh can thank Sam Percy at the back for making telling tackles to stop Rearcross attacks. Knigh took the lead again against the run of play when a clearance set Simon Cleary away and he dispatched past Darragh Reynolds in the Rearcross goals. Rearcross went down a player in the 27th min and Knigh also got rewarded a penalty kick. Simon Cleary stepped up to take the penalty but was thwarted by a brilliant save from Darragh Reynolds. This lifted Rearcross and they got back on level terms when Conor Nolan set up his brother Jack whose shot from outside the big box was too powerful for Knigh’s keeper to save. Jonathan Dawson saw his effort just go wide and Jack Nolan was stopped before he could unleash at the Knigh goals. Darragh Reynolds made a brilliant double save near the end of the first half to keep the score 2 all.
Rearcross with a man down had it all to do against this Knigh side who have 4 players representing North Tipp U-15 team in the second half. Rearcross stood tall and telling tackles and clearances from the back 3 of Seanie Quinlan, Oisin Reynolds and James Costello kept Knigh out. Darragh Reynolds who put in a man of the match performance in the Rearcross goals made a great save from a Ciaran Fitzgerald effort. Knigh scored the winner after the ball fell kindly to Simon Cleary in the Rearcross box and he placed it just out of Darragh Reynold’s reach. Rearcross fought gallantly to the end but it was to be Knigh United’s day.
Coaches Shane Reynolds and Liam Nolan spoke to the heartbroken team at the end of the match on how very proud we were of each and every one of them for never giving up and always giving 100% all season.

Knigh United: E Walsh, J Fogarty, E Dervan, S Percy, O Griffin, A Dillon, C Fitzgerald, R Ryan, C Cleary, C Ryan, C Kinsella
Subs: J Ryan, A Walsh, C Walsh, R Hackett, C Carmody

Rearcross U15 Boys: Darragh Reynolds, Seanie Quinlan, Oisin Reynolds, Colm Hickey, James Costello, Sam Hackett, Conor Carr, Liam Brett, Jonathan Dawson, Jack Nolan, Liam Ryan
Subs: Colm O’Meara, Paraic Carr, Conor Nolan, Ronan Hammersley

Referee: Cormac Sullivan

Report by Shane Reynolds