Rearcross U-13 Girls come from behind to earn away draw to Nenagh Celtic

Rearcross U13 Girls travelled to Lisbunny, Nenagh, to play their Nenagh Celtic counterparts in a 10am kick off in the NTSFL league. This was a really competitive encounter with the young Rearcross side having periods of dominance particularly in the second half. The physically stronger and older Nenagh Celtic 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 Ruth Johnson. Zofia Kwiecinska and Kate Kennedy both ran hard against the Cloughjordan midfield, ably assisted by the hard-working Chloe Quinlan and Zara Maher, with Isabel Keogh /Anna Kennedy working very hard up front and putting strong pressure on the Nenagh Celtic rearguard. Rearcross conceded just before half time where the ball broke on the edge of the box and was expertly finished to the Net by the on rushing Celtic attacker.
Rearcross flew out of the traps in the second half where Lauren Hartnett and Aoibheann Devitt played balls over the Nenagh Celtic rearguard, and our midfield pressed Nenagh back into their own half, creating a couple of chances that the excellent Nenagh Celtic keeper dealt with. Rearcross were now on top, and continued to apply the pressure but could not break down the Celtic rearguard, however following a foul on Zofia Kwiecinska in midfield, the resulting free kick which was dangerously floated over the Nenagh Celtic defence by Aoibheann Devitt, found Kate Kennedy in the box and her resulting effort was handled in the box, resulting in the awarding of a penalty. Aoibheann Devitt stepped up from centre half and duly dispatched low and hard to the back of the net, sending the Celtic keeper the wrong way The game now became very counter attacking for both sides and on one such counter attack, Nenagh again struck from inside the box to give them a 2 -1 lead. Credit to Rearcross though, they did not give up and continued to defend and counter attack, where Anna Butler was breaking up a lot of ball in midfield and passing forward. From one of these through Balls, Zofia Kwiecinska powerfully broke through the Nenagh Celtic rearguard and finished expertly to the back of the Nenagh Celtic net. Rearcross survived a few late Nenagh Celtic corners and deservedly held out for a 2 all draw. A very entertaining game, that ebbed and flowed, both very competitive teams, 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. Rearcross remain unbeaten with 2 games to be played in the league.

Nenagh Celtic: L Casey, L Ryan, S Kelly, A Rotari, L Carr, C Mitchell, S Doheny Brett, A O’Leary, Z. Akinneye, R Ryan Donnellan (Capt), L White, K Byrne, A Rooney, M Lopes Dos Santos, O Akinneye, V Guzun, D Solotchii, H Mitchell

Rearcross U-13 Girls: Ewa Kwiecinska, Lauren Hartnett, Aoibheann Devitt, Ruth Johnson, Zara Maher, Zofia Kwiecinska, Maria Collins, Chloe Quinlan, Kate Kennedy, Isabel Keogh, Anna Kennedy, Emma Nolan, Eve Richardson, Mary Hanley, Anna Butler

Referee: Robert Mandrila

Report by Myles Devitt