Luckless defeat for Rearcross U-15’s by odd goal in three

Rearcross U-15 Boys welcomed Ballymackey on Thursday evening for this league fixture and it was the away side that started the quickest as Jack Hickey and James Costello had to thwart two attacks on the Rearcross goals. The hosts settled after this before Jonathan Dawson saw a long-range effort go just wide after being set up by Liam O'Dwyer. This was followed with another effort by Jonathan Dawson which was saved by Tadgh Murphy in the Ballymackey goals. The Slieve Felim side stood firm to a couple of Ballymackey attacks with well timed blocks to avert the danger. Rearcross saw their best effort on goal when a Jonathan Dawson corner kick caused mayhem in the Ballymackey box, but the ball was cleared before Rea were able to pounce. The visitors were also having their moments as Darragh Reynolds saved a Kian Kennedy effort to leave the sides scoreless at the midway point in a half that saw both sets of defences holding their own.
Rearcross went behind to a very well struck free kick by James Ryan, which was just too high for the outstretched arms of Darragh Reynolds in the Rearcross goals. The host’s response was quick and Rea were back level after a move which saw James Costello move the ball into midfield before setting Jonathan Dawson away, who calmly rounded the advancing Tadgh Murphy before tapping into an open net. The match ebbed and flowed between both boxes for the remainder of the game with both sides cancelling each other out more or less. The Ballymackey lead was restored with a fortuitous goal through Daithi Kennedy. Rearcross up the tempo for the remainder of the game and Ballymackey can thank the heroics of Tadgh Murphy who pulled off numerous saves to keep the scoreline intact in a game where Rearcross will feel a draw would have been a fairer result.

Rearcross U15 Boys: Darragh Reynolds, Jack Hickey, Matthew Ryan, Stephen Ryan, James Costello, Ciaran McLoughlin, Micheál Collins, Cathal Hickey, Conor Nolan, Jonathan Dawson, Liam O'Dwyer
Subs: Andrew Hanly, Conor McInerney

Ballymackey FC: M Bergin, J Gilmartin, C Cummins, C Ryan, J Hanrahan, C O’Brien (Capt), K Kennedy, F O’Shaughnessy, D Kennedy, J Ryan, P Williams
Subs: L Kennedy, B Delaney, T Murphy, E Grace, A Cummins

Referee: Bobby O’Connor

Report by Shane Reynolds