Dramatic 2-1 win for Rearcross U-15 Boys

Rearcross U-15 Boys welcomed Birdhill to Rearcross FC Grounds last Saturday morning for this local derby clash with Rea claiming the plaudits on the day. The home side got off to a good start and Jonathan Dawson was unlucky to see his effort hit the side netting. Patrick Carr then saw his shot on goal go over the bar after good play from Jonathan Dawson. Micheál Collins was next to have a pop at goal when he latched onto a loose ball from a Rearcross corner but was luckless with a shot that wasn’t far away. Both sets of midfielders were having a real go and there was telling tackles from both sides. Rearcross took the lead on the 25-minute mark when Jonathan Dawson unleashed a powerful effort from outside the box that went all the way to the net. Micheál Collins and Jack Hickey turned in fine first half performances denying a number of Birdhill advances coupled with telling deliveries down the lines for Conor Nolan and Jonathan Dawson to run on to, however it remained 1-0 to Rea at the halftime whistle.
Rearcross were quickest out of the traps in the second half as Conor Nolan was unlucky not to connect with a Jonathan Dawson cross from the right. The Slieve Felim side kept pressing and Birdhill can thank their keeper Glenn Sexton who made a brilliant foot save to deny Conor Nolan, the ball rebounded to Jonathan Dawson but the effort dragged away from the target. This press seemed to spur Birdhill on and they started to have a purple patch as Fionn Poole saw his effort hit the Rearcross crossbar which Darragh Reynolds gathered. Their next attack saw Darragh Reynolds produce a brilliant double save to firstly deny Fionn Poole and then Aaron Clohessy. Birdhill did get their equalizer when a Billy Creagh delivery from out on the right looked to be going over the bar before dipping into the net. Rearcross dusted themselves down and should have regained their lead but Jack Caplis made a brilliant block to deny Jonathan Dawson’s strike on goal. Another effort by Jonathan Dawson saw the ball break from the Birdhill keeper but Rearcross were unable to take full advantage. It was end to end as Billy Creagh’s effort hit the crossbar but Rearcross custodian Darragh Reynolds gathered and then a brilliant tackle from Jack Hickey denied Lucas Redolat Latorre who was advancing towards the Rearcross goals. The Rearcross midfield was very much to the fore in the final minutes and great interplay between Shane Lee, Ciaran McLoughlin and Patrick Carr saw the latter send Conor Nolan on his way who calmly rounded Glenn Sexton to dispatch a dramatic winner to back of the net.

Rearcross U-15 Boys: Darragh Reynolds, Jack Hickey, Conor McInerney, Stephen Ryan, James Costello, Ciaran McLoughlin, Micheál Collins, Patrick Carr, Conor Nolan, Jonathan Dawson, Colm Hickey
Subs: Shane Lee

Birdhill FC: G Sexton, M Coffey, F Croffey, J Caplis, M Redolat Latorre, C Kavanagh, B Creagh, J Ryan, F Poole, A Clohessy, C Flynn.
Subs: G Galvin, L Redolat Latorre, E O’Donnell, G McKeogh, D McCormack, J Gissane

Referee: Aidan Kenneally

Report by Shane Reynolds