Rearcross U-15 Boys lose out by the odd goal in five

Rearcross U-15 Boys played Knigh Utd in a top of the table clash in Rearcross on Saturday. Knigh Utd who have 4 players on the North Tipperary U15 team started the quickest and were 1 nil up thanks to a clever finish by midfielder Robert Ryan. More pressure was put on our defence and clearances by Paraic Carr and Oisin Reynolds stopped both Knigh attacks. James Costello and Seanie Quinlan came to the rescue with telling tackles. Knigh Utd's midfield of Ruairi Hackett, Alex Dillon and Ciaran Fitzgerald were dictating play and all 3 were involved for Ciaran Fitzgerald’s goal to put Knigh 2 up. Sam Hackett and Conor Nolan were brought off the bench halfway through the first half and both helped Rearcross wrestle back the midfield battle. This led to Jonathan Dawson having two efforts on goal. Colm Hickey made a telling tackle to thwart a Knigh attack. Knigh were then reduced to 10 players following a 2nd yellow card for dissent. Rearcross were now putting more pressure on the Knigh rearguard and they can thank Conor Ryan in goals for acting smartly to through balls. Knigh scored a third from a counter attack on the left, good work by Ruairi Hackett saw his cross volley into the back of the Rearcross net by an onrushing Simon Cleary to leave it 3-0 to Knigh UTD at half time.
A stern team talk at half time about pride in the jersey saw a different Rearcross team start the second half compared to the first. Darragh Reynolds was introduced at half time and he and Conor Nolan on either flank were causing the Knigh fullbacks all sorts of trouble. Sam Hackett and Conor Carr were now bossing the midfield and this was leading to more attacking play by Rearcross. Two Jack Nolan strikes either side of a Jonathan Dawson effort had Conor Ryan busy in the Knigh goals. Jack Nolan then pulled one back after being released by his brother Conor, his effort was too powerful to be saved. Knigh then were reduced to 9 players when a 2nd player was sent off for a tackle on Sam Hackett. Rearcross brought the score back to a goal when Jonathan Dawson put Jack Nolan through and his clever chip was too high for Conor Ryan to reach. Brilliant running on the ball by Conor Nolan saw him upended in the box and a penalty to Rearcross was rewarded. Jack Nolan’s effort which had plenty of power but rose too high to the relief of the Knigh visiting party. Rearcross kept the pressure on and a move which Seanie Quinlan started, saw a Conor Nolan delivery into the box only for Ruairi Hackett to clear in front of his goals. Rearcross went for broke and saw another attack start with Seanie Quinlan on the right flank who played the ball to Conor Nolan who smartly found Oisin Reynolds who had pushed forward only for Oisin’s effort to be tipped away by Conor Ryan in goals. Jack Nolan saw another effort saved by Conor Ryan just before the referee blew for the final whistle to leave it 3-2 in favour of Knigh United.

Rearcross U-15 Boys: Paddy Ryan, Seanie Quinlan, Oisin Reynolds, Paraic Carr, James Costello, Colm Hickey, Conor Carr, Liam Brett, Jonathan Dawson, Jack Nolan, Colm O’Meara
Subs: Ronan Hammersley, Darragh Reynolds, Conor Nolan, Sam Hackett, Jack Hickey, Ciaran McLoughlin, Patrick Carr

Knigh United: C Ryan, J Fogarty, E Dervan, S Percy, R McGrath, A Dillon, C Fitzgerald, R Ryan, C Cleary, R Hackett, C Kinsella
Subs: J Ryan, O Griffin, A Walsh, E Walsh, D Carmody, D Connolly

Referee: Colin O’Gorman

Report by Shane Reynolds