Rearcross U-16 Boys get the season off to a winning start

Rearcross U16 Boys played Lough Derg B at home to kick start their season. The Rea boys were fast out of the traps as Conor Carr came close with an effort from the edge of the box. Rearcross took the lead from the next attack when a Jack Nolan shot was saved by Darragh Perry in the Lough Derg goal only for the ball to break to Conor Carr who dispatched a smart left footed finish to the net. Two more efforts from Jack Nolan and Jonathan Dawson had the Lough Derg team on the backfoot. The incessant Rearcross pressure paid off when a Jonathan Dawson corner kick was headed in at the back post by Conor Nolan to give Rea a 2-nil advantage. Lough Derg to their credit fought back and were rewarded with a penalty which was converted by Christopher O’Bhaoil and then Otis Seidel was unlucky with an effort which hit the post. Lough Derg were on the front foot during this period as Darragh Reynolds made a fine save to thwart Kevin Benavidez Satana from levelling the match. The visitors did make it a drawn game when a free kick wasn't dealt with by the Rearcross rearguard and Jenson Guerin finished from close range to leave it all square at the halftime whistle.
Rearcross came out with all guns blazing in the second half and restored their lead when Colm Hickey scored the goal of the tie with a cracking effort from the edge of the box giving the Lough Derg custodian no chance. Rea kept pressing as Jack Nolan saw an effort saved by Darragh Perry, but the loose ball fell into Conor Nolan’s path who dispatched to the back of the net with aplomb. A Jack Nolan corner kick found Oisin Reynolds as his powerful effort sailed over the crossbar. Jack Nolan did get on the scoresheet when he finished an individual effort after picking up the ball in midfield and his powerful run produced a fine goal. A brilliant Conor Carr through ball set up Jack Nolan but the effort hit the side netting. The Ballina/Killaloe side did have a few half chances, but the Rearcross rearguard led by James Costello and Paraic Carr stood firm with some telling tackles. Jack Nolan added his second of the day late on with a well struck effort, to give Rearcross a comprehensive win on the day.

Rearcross U-16 Boys: Darragh Reynolds, Seanie Quinlan, Oisin Reynolds, Paraic Carr, James Costello, Conor Carr, Colm Hickey, Liam Brett, Jack Nolan, Jonathan Dawson, Conor Nolan
Subs: Ronan Hammersley, Ciaran McLoughlin, Jack Hickey

Lough Derg ‘B’: D Perry, S Szokodi, C Hass, J O’Malley, C Williams, H Jones, K Benavidez Santana, R Daw Benchelef, O Seidel, J Guerin, T Hogan,
Subs: L Ryan, S O’Driscoll, B Pedersen. B Coll, C Grainger

Referee: Colin O’Gorman

Report by Shane Reynolds