Rearcross U-16 Boys play out 3-3 draw

Rearcross U-16 Boys welcomed a strong Arra Rovers to Rearcross for this league encounter. The Portroe outfit started the stronger of the two teams and were rewarded by a lovely team goal finished by C O’Connor. Arra didn’t let up playing great front step football and it wasn’t long until they got a second with a lovely back post header from A Horan. The Rea boys started to get into the game which saw Conor Nolan get one on one with the keeper following a fine through ball from James Costello, but the Arra goalie made a great save. Rea kept pushing forward and were rewarded with a penalty after great work from Patrick Carr which ended up with Conor Nolan being fouled in the box. Johnathan Dawson stood up and converted the penalty to the bottom right corner. After an exciting start to the game, the pace of play started to calm down but the goals didn’t stop and then on the 30th minute Conor Nolan and Ciaran McLoughlin combined for a one-two down the line which gave Conor Nolan space to get his cross into the box, where Johnathan Dawson was on hand to head the ball in to the top left corner after a flowing team move. Into the second half, both teams had chances to add to their tally but opposing custodians were in top form with a string of saves. Rearcross made the breakthrough in the 65th minute when James Costello took an unstoppable shot from 30 yards which went in over the keeper’s head. Rearcross thought they had done enough for the three points, but Arra showed a resilient never say die attitude and got their third goal of the night after M Gray’s shot from outside the box made its way into the bottom corner with 3 mins left. Both teams will be disappointed not to take full points, but nevertheless still somewhat happy to come away with something from the tie. Best of luck to Arra for the rest of the season.

Rearcross U-16 Boys: Leo Armstrong, Jack Hickey, Stephen Ryan, Michéal Collins, Conor McInerney, James Costello (Capt), Ciaran McLoughlin, Patrick Carr, Jonathan Dawson, Conor Nolan, Liam O’Dwyer
Subs: Sean Guidera, Matthew Ryan, Paudie Clifford, Leon Wallace, Jack O’Toole

Arra Rovers: N McElroy, S Purcell, L Dharam, M Hoare (Capt), D Quinn, M Grey, O O’Halloran, S O’Donoghue, D Dillon, A Horan, D Darcy
Subs: K McKenna, B Stanley, E Rae, E Hogan, C O’Connor, J Gleeson

Referee: TP Sullivan

Report by Patrick Dawson