Rearcross U-14's progress to Shield Final following stellar performance

Rearcross U-14’s took on Borrisokane last Saturday in Rearcross in the semi-final of the Shield. Borrisokane who are playing a division higher than our U-14’s would have come into this game as favourites. It was the home team that had the first effort on goals when a Jack Hickey cross from the right found his brother Cathal in the box but his effort was just wide of the post. A Jonathan Dawson corner a few mins later hit the cross bar and wide. Borrisokane had their first strike on target but Darragh Reynolds in the Rearcross goals was equal to the challenge. Jonathan Dawson saw another effort just go wide after good link up play by Shane Lee and Patrick Carr. Darragh Reynolds was called into action again when he made a fine save from Borrisokane’s John Quinn. Conor Nolan thought he had scored but his effort was cleared off the line by Fionn Brennan. Darragh Reynolds made another fine save from Oisin Scanlan. Rearcross finally scored when a dangerous corner kick from Jonathan Dawson was not dealt with properly and Conor Nolan dispatched to the back of the net to leave 1-0 to Rea at half time
The second half started like the first with both sides really going for it. The 2 goalies Darragh Reynolds and Marty Guest were displaying some brilliant goalkeeping with both producing saves and gathers to keep their respective teams in the tie. Jonathan Dawson saw his brilliant effort saved by Borrisokane’s goalie and soon after Darragh Reynolds stopped a pile driver of an effort by Hugo Massey. Rearcross defence were holding strong from all the pressure Borrisokane were trying to put on, and this was telling when Matthew Ryan put in a thunderous tackle to stop a Borrisokane attack. Rearcross introduced all the bench for the remaining minutes and each one fought and gave a brilliant account of themselves to earn a one nil win to secure a place in the decider. It was a truly brilliant defensive effort by all players involved. They dug deep and backed each other all over the park.

Rearcross U-14 Boys: Darragh Reynolds, Conor McInerney, Matthew Ryan, Stephen Ryan, James Costello, Shane Lee, Jack Hickey, Patrick Carr, Conor Nolan, Jonathan Dawson, Cathal Hickey
Subs:  Leon Wallace, Paudie Clifford, Andrew Hanly, Sean Guidera, Liam O'Dwyer

Borrisokane: M Guest, H Massey, C Coughlan, F Brennan, E Larkin, N Young, D O’Brien Kelly, J Quinn, E Crowe, O Scanlan, L Donnelly
Subs: O Michael, D Kennedy, C Lambe, E Connolly, M Donoghue, K Romanenko, C Maher

Referee: Lee Doran

Report by Shane Reynolds