Share of spoils for Rearcross U-14’s in Ballinree

Rearcross U-14’s were on their travels to Ballymackey last Saturday for this league encounter and had to settle for a share of the spoils on the day. A lively opening half saw Conor Nolan coming close early on but his effort was bravely saved by Eanna O’Shea in the Ballymackey goal. The home side took the lead in their first attack after the Slieve Felim outfit were slow to clear their lines before Adam Cummins made no mistake from close range. Rearcross dusted themselves down after this setback and equalised moments later when Conor Nolan raced through to level matters. Rearcross then had claims for a penalty waved on following a handball infringement. Rearcross took a 2-1 lead when Ciaran McLoughlin raced in to the box and turned smartly before striking with a powerful left footed effort. It was an end-to-end encounter as Ballymackey captain Cathal Moloney let fly with effort that was just wide and then Conor Nolan saw another shot on target which was saved by the Ballymackey custodian just before half time.
The Ballinree side made the brighter start to the second half and pegged it back level when a David McElligott effort just got the better of Leon Wallace in the Rearcross goals and then took the lead when Luke Flannery converted from the spot despite some protestations from the visitors. Rearcross fought their way back in to the game and got it back to 3-3 when Conor Nolan netted after being put through by Darragh Reynold and nearly hit the front when great build up play by Zofia Kwiecinska set up Conor Nolan who was luckless to see his strike go wide. Rearcross keeper Leon Wallace pulled of a great save to keep the visitors in the game, however more drama was to follow when Darragh Spain put Ballymackey 4-3 in front with an opportunist goal. Rearcross battled all the way to the end as Sean Guidera was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet with a long-range strike that was inches wide of the post. Rea grabbed a deserved equalizer when Darragh Reynold’s powerful drive from the edge of the box secured an away point.

Ballymackey ‘B’: E O’Shea, L Dollery, J White, C Greene, L Flannery, D Kelly, A Cummins, C Hayes, D Maher, D McElligott, C Hackett
Subs: N Ryan, J McLoughney, N Young, J Hanly, I Sheahan Hussy, S Darragh

Rearcross U-14’s: Leon Wallace, Conor McInerney, Darragh Reynolds, Andrew Hanly, Paudie Clifford, Sean Guidera, Ciaran McLoughlin, Cathal Hickey, Conor Nolan, Cathal Maloney, Ryan Quigley
Subs: Zofia Kwiecinska, Lauren Hartnett, Saoirse Guidera

Referee: Sabelo Mavuso

Report by Shane Reynolds