Narrow loss for Rearcross U-14 Girls in Ballinaclough

Rearcross FC U14 girls travelled to Ballinaclough to play Nenagh Celtic U14 Girls in the North Tipperary League on Wednesday last. This game was played in glorious sunshine with Rearcross at almost full strength for the first time this season. This was a top of the table clash with Nenagh applying all the early pressure and were 2 nil up inside 15 minutes. Rearcross however proved to be dogged opposition threatening the Nenagh goals on several occasions and in hard luck not to score. Rearcross conceded a third before half time playing against a slight hill. The scoreline would not reflect how the game had played out. Rearcross regrouped after the break and with Aoibheann Devitt launching attacks into the Nenagh half with her kickouts, Rearcross took a foothold on this game, from 2 Aoibheann Kickouts, which led to disarray in the Nenagh half, Zofia Kwiecinska broke onto 2 balls and expertly converted to the back of the Nenagh net to leave this game in the balance. Zofia was denied on 2 other occasions by the Nenagh keeper. All Rearcross players from Saorla, Grace, Anna Butler and Ewa in the defence to our tireless midfield of Lauren, Zofia, Maisie and Kate to our hardworking strike partners of Chloe and Ruth ran themselves into the ground fighting for a priceless equaliser. Rearcross had a great chance at the end when our goalkeeper Aoibheann Devitt came up the field to float in a great free kick to the back post which just needed the slightest of flicks to find the Nenagh net, but unfortunately luck deserted us and the ball just went the wrong side of the post. A great performance from Rearcross where the clock just went against us where subs Anna Kennedy, Maria Collins and Ellie O Gorman also played huge parts with our remaining unused subs (2 girls who will play ladies soccer hopefully for years to come) of Eve Richardson and Emma Nolan both eligible for this grade for 2 more years, giving great encouragement from the sideline. Mention too for Zara Maher who is a regular starter and very able player, who has missed out recently through injury.

Nenagh Celtic: L Casey, L Ryan, S Kelly, A Rotari, A O’Leary, C Mitchell, L White, L Carr, Z Akinneye, M Lopes Dos Santos, R Donnella Ryan
Subs: S Doheny Brett, D Solotchii, O Akinneye, K Byrne, A Rooney, V Auzyn

Rearcross U-14 Girls: Aoibheann Devitt, Ewa Kwiecinska, Saorla Kennedy, Grace Kennedy, Anna Butler, Lauren Hartnett, Kate Kennedy, Zofia Kwiecinska, Maisie Butler, Chloe Quinlan, Ruth Johnstone (Capt)
Subs: Eve Richardson, Ellie O Gorman, Anna Kennedy, Maria Collins, Emma Nolan

Referee: Patrick Ronan

Report by Myles Devitt