Narrow defeat for Rearcross  U-14 Girls

Rearcross U14 Girls welcomed Nenagh Celtic U14 girls to Rearcross on Friday night last February 28^th.This was a really competitive encounter, with the young Rearcross side more than holding their own against a strong Nenagh Celtic outfit who are currently on top of the league table, and who on their day, are probably the best side in this division. Rearcross absorbed huge pressure from Nenagh Celtic in the first half, but could not find a way past our back 3 of Zofia Kwiecinska, Aoibheann Devitt and Shauna Carr who repelled several Nenagh attacks and launched counter attacks from the back. Ewa Kwiecinska commanded her area from the goalkeeping spot and made a number of fine saves during the course of the game. Orlagh Carr and Abbie Carroll, were involved in a ding dong battle in central midfield, both winning breaking ball and driving forward forcing Nenagh Celtic onto the back foot, Chloe Quinlan and Zara Maher on either flank of them were willing runners all through the game. Kate Kennedy caused the Nenagh defence worrying moments when she ran powerfully at them, and was unlucky during the course of the game not to hit the back of the net, Isabelle Keogh and Anna Kennedy worked tirelessly throughout the game, dropping into midfield time and again trying to secure possession. The winning goal came for Nenagh Celtic 10 minutes before half time, came from a cross into the Rearcross box which the on running Nenagh Celtic attacker finished to the net from close range. Celtic piled on the pressure but credit to the Rearcross ladies, they recomposed themselves and defended and counter attacked for the rest of the game and were unlucky not to snatch a draw. Credit to a well drilled Nenagh outfit who showed why they are currently leading this division, had periods of dominance, and passed the ball from back to front very quickly. This was a highly competitive match and a good advertisement for underage girls’ soccer.

Rearcross U-14 Girls: Ewa Kwiecinska (Capt), Zofia Kwiecinska, Aoibheann Devitt, Shauna Carr, Zara Maher, Orlagh Carr, Abbie Carroll, Chloe Quinlan, Kate Kennedy, Isabel Keogh, Anna Kennedy

Nenagh Celtic Panel: L Casey, S Kelly, A Rotari, L McGrath, L Ryan, M Carmody, L Carr, R Keith-Crosse, G Santos Duarte Dos, R Ryan Donnellan, H Tanner (Capt), S Hogan, L White, S Brett Doheny, A Carr, V Gazun, A Rooney, Z Akinneye

Referee: Mark Greene

Report by Myles Devitt