Hard earned away point for Rearcross U-14 Girls in Killaloe

Rearcross U14 Girls travelled to Clarisford park Killaloe to play their Lough Derg counterparts in a 10am kick-off in the NTSFL league. This was a really competitive encounter, with the young Rearcross side more than holding their own, keeping possession and hitting Lough Derg on the counter attack throughout the first half. The physically stronger Lough Derg side applied the early pressure but could not break down the Rearcross rearguard of Ewa Kwiecinska in goals and our back 3 of Lauren Hartnett, Aoibheann Devitt and Shauna Carr. Zofia Kwiecinska and Abbie Carroll, were on top in the central midfield battle, both running hard against the Lough Derg midfield, ably assisted by the hard-working Chloe Quinlan and Zara Maher on either flank, with Isabel Keogh, Ruth Johnson and Kate Kennedy, working very hard up front and causing the Lough Derg rearguard plenty of problems. Lough Derg scored first, 15 minutes into first half, with a finish from the edge of the box over the head of goalie Ewa Kwiecinska. Rearcross settled down after conceding, scoring two excellent goals, with passing moves from the back to midfield where the ball was put in behind the Lough Derg defence, with firstly, Kate Kennedy breaking through and finishing to the bottom left corner from the edge of the box, followed by an identical passing move releasing Chloe Quinlan on the left, who too finished powerfully to the net from just inside the box. Rearcross led 2-1 going into the second half but came under huge pressure, but great defending by our trio at the back of Shauna Carr, Aoibheann Devitt and Lauren Hartnett aided by our hardworking midfield kept Lough Derg at bay. Rearcross introduced Anna Kennedy at half time with Ewa Kwiecinska moving up front, Chloe Quinlan replacing her very ably in goals. Eve Richardson replaced Ruth Johnson and worked hard after coming on. With ten minutes to go and after defending wholeheartedly throughout, Lough Derg scored an equalizer after a long range shot deflecting off an unlucky Rearcross defender. Super display by Rearcross away from home, coming away with a point. Rearcross finished with a lineup that are all under 14 for next season bar 2, some girls are eligible for 3 years at this age level. A very entertaining game, and from a Rearcross point of view it's very encouraging to see our players been so competitive, particularly our younger ladies on the squad

Lough Derg FC: E Gillen, H Hammond, A McMahon, E Kenny, S Kol, E Finn, L Murphy, G Kelly, G O’Brien, M Sheeran, E Jorgensen, C O’Casey

Rearcross U-14 Girls: Ewa Kwiecinska, Lauren Hartnett, Aoibheann Devitt, Shauna Carr, Zara Maher, Zofia Kwiecinska, Abbie Carroll, Chloe Quinlan, Kate Kennedy, Isabel Keogh, Ruth Johnson, Eve Richardson, Anna Kennedy

Referee: Cathal Reamon Mullane

Report by Myles Devitt