Rearcross U-16 Boys grind out 2-1 win

Rearcross U-16 Boys started their league campaign with a Friday evening home fixture under lights. Both sides went at it from the start but it was Rearcross who had the first effort on goals with a Jonathan Dawson strike. Rearcross nearly took an early lead when Patrick Carr played in Jonathan Dawson, but his effort was somehow cleared off the line by Ardcroney’s Mark Cleary. The visitors first real effort saw Jack Ryan fire on goal, but Leo Armstrong made the save. Rearcross counter attacked and a Michéal Collins free kick caused mayhem in the Ardcroney box as Jonathan Dawson was luckless not to keep his effort down. Next up was Conor Nolan with an effort that was just wide after his pace got him free from the Ardcroney defence. Jack O'Meara used his pace to good effect, and struck on target but the Rearcross keeper was equal to the effort. It was end to end as Conor Nolan released Jonathan Dawson but visiting custodian Ronan Hayes made the block. The woodwork denied the hosts when a powerful run by Jonathan Dawson saw the shot hit the butt of the post. The Rea boys were piling on the pressure and took the lead when Patrick Carr played a brilliant pass to Jonathan Dawson who ran on to finish past the Ardcroney custodian. The visitors dusted themselves down and equalized soon after when a free kick by Oisín O’Mahony out on the right wasn’t cleared by the Rearcross defence and Colin Gaynor took full advantage with a close-range finish to leave it all square at the half time whistle.
Rearcross were fast out of the traps after the re-start and a crunching tackle by Conor Nolan in midfield set the tone for a gritty second half display. Moments later Jonathan Dawson saw an effort cleared out of the danger zone by the Ardcroney rearguard. Incessant pressure by Leon Wallace saw him win the ball and pass to Jonathan Dawson who played in James Costello who was luckless not to hit the target. Great interplay by Jack Hickey and Conor Nolan down the right saw the latter play in Jonathan Dawson but the strike was half-saved and Darragh Reynolds was quickest to react but the effort was put out for a corner kick. The Slieve Felim side were piling on the pressure as Conor Nolan was unlucky to see his effort drift wide after latching on to a free kick. Rearcross were defending well at the other end as Stephen Ryan stopped Jack O’Meara in his tracks. The game was in the melting pot as a Darragh Reynolds header was cleared off the line by Rory McLoughney and then Leon Wallace was unlucky to see his shot saved. The onslaught continued as a Darragh Reynolds thumping effort crashed off the post. An Ardcroney free kick was collected by Leo Armstrong seconds later. The woodwork denied Rearcross for a third time when Darragh Reynolds hit the upright after good work by Jonathan Dawson and Leon Wallace. The Slieve Felim side hit the front with a fine move when a crunching tackle by Jack Hickey saw him win the ball, before good combination play involving Leon Wallace and Jonathan Dawson saw the latter cross to the on-rushing Darragh Reynolds who made no mistake with a confident finish. Ardcroney didn’t throw in the towel though as Leo Armstrong had to be fast off his line to deny the visitors and then Michéal Collins who had a stellar outing for Rea quelled another threatening attack. The final action saw the Rearcross keeper pull off a brilliant save to secure maximum points for Rearcross on this occasion.

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

Ardcroney FC: R Hayes, O O’Mahony, M Cleary, R McLoughney, T Teefey, S O’Meara (Capt), J O’Meara, H Gannon, J Ryan, A Fahey, C Gaynor
Subs: D O’Brien, R Cleary, B McLoughney, C Last, M Gaynor, J Last, C McLoughney

Referee: Robert Mandrilla

Report by Shane Reynolds